User:Oreo25/Amazon Basin (sedimentary basin)

Introduction
The Amazon Basin is a large sedimentary basin (620000 km2) located near the middle and lower course of the Amazon River.

Location
The Amazon Basin is located south of the Guiana Shield, north of the Central Brazilian Shield, east of the Solimões Basin, and west of the Marajó Basin. It is bound to the west by the Púrus Arch and in the east by the Gurupá Arch. The unique location of the Amazon basin has offered the opportunity for many different species and minerals to flourish inside its borders.

Evolution of the Basin
The Amazon Basin was developed on a rift, called the Sub-Amazonal Rift, that originated about 550 million years ago during continental collision of the West African Craton. Parts of the rift were reactivated during the opening of the South Atlantic. The Amazon Basin evolved through tectonic activity including continental collision, subduction, and distortion of parts of the Andes Mountain Range.

Bauxite Deposits
Another important factor about the geology of the Amazon basin is the rich deposits of Bauxite. The bauxite is a special metallic mineral with its each main characteristic being its elevated contents of aluminum. The discovery of bauxite deposits is a recent one approximately 70 years ago making Brazil one of the most important countries in terms of both production and possession of bauxite deposits. One of the main reasons for the Amazon Basin to be rich in bauxite deposits is its unique climate and geological conditions that have allowed for the process of the development of bauxite to flourish.

Sub-Amazonal Rift
The sub-Amazonal rift is a very interesting geological feature due to the arduous process of discovering its origin. The discovery of specific types of rocks in the Amazon Basin and the quantity of area they occupy can help scientists discover the age of the rocks. However, the discovery of the origins of the sub - Amazonal rift requires a unique process. Scientists must calculate the active time of the rift, and due to complications of its unique time intervals an extensive comparison of similar rifts must take place for the determination of the origins of the sub-Amazonal rift.

Wildlife
The unique geology of the Amazon Basin has allowed for many distinct species to live in its environment. Without any doubt the most diverse and largest in number species are the crocodiles and the turtles. The long rivers and the condensed vegetation of the Amazon Basin have provided the ideal conditions for the existence of these type of animals. It it also worth mentioning that other mammals also inhabit the amazon basin such as the diverse family of rodents that follows specific eating habits based on the unique terrain of the Amazon Basin.