Sierra del Tontal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sierra del Tontal |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,140 m (13,580 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Sierra del Tontal
Location in Argentina
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| Country | Argentina |
The Sierra del Tontal is a mountain range in the southern part of San Juan Province, Argentina. It is a tall chain of mountains that stretches across the land.
Where is the Sierra del Tontal?
This mountain range is found in the precordillera area. The precordillera is a region of smaller mountain ranges. It is located just before the main Andes Mountains. This area covers parts of La Rioja, San Juan, and Mendoza provinces in Argentina. This whole region is known as Cuyo.
The Sierra del Tontal is south of another mountain range called the Sierra del Tigre. The San Juan River flows in the valley that separates them. The lower parts of the mountains in the south reach into Mendoza Province. To the east of these mountains, you can find the city of San Juan. To the west, there is the Calingasta valley.
How Big and Tall is it?
The Sierra del Tontal stretches for about 100 kilometers (about 62 miles). It runs in a direction from the northwest to the southeast. The highest point in this range is a mountain called Ojo de Agua. This peak stands very tall at 4,140 meters (about 13,580 feet) high.
Most of the mountain range extends south from Ojo de Agua. Many parts of the range in this area are also very high. They reach elevations of over 4,000 meters (about 13,120 feet).
What are the Rocks Like?
The mountains of the Sierra del Tontal are made up of different kinds of rocks. Some of these rocks are called greywackes. These are a type of sandstone that often looks dark and contains many different minerals. Other rocks found here are shales. Shale is a soft rock that forms from mud and clay. It often breaks into thin layers.
Scientists have found very old plant fossils in the shale rocks here. These fossils are like ancient imprints of plants. They probably come from a time called the Devonian period. This period was a very long time ago, about 419 to 359 million years ago. During the Devonian period, Earth saw the first forests and land animals.
See also
In Spanish: Sierra del Tontal para niños
