138:. This process leaves large empty spaces which in Cerro Autana form interconnected caverns and a lounge with a domed ceiling. This vaulted living room has two unequal openings that pierce the hill from side to side and lean out as a form of balcony in the vertical walls of the mountain. One of these openings, although elongated, is so small that it is indistinguishable from below. Some of the cavernous passages have collapsed in recent years. A particular alumino-nitrate found in the main cave is sveite, named after the Sociedad Venezolana de Espeleologia whose members collected the first samples.
52:
103:
159:
201:), cut down the tree to get all the fruits at once. Ruayei gnawed on the base until the tree fell. The branches that fell to the north formed the forests of the Cuao River; the branches falling to the west made the mountains of Sipapo, Waichij and the Uripikai. Farther away, the course of the waters was changed and a
115:
water percolates along joints and bedding planes, the siliceous cement dissolves, quartzite disaggregates, and large blocks collapse which accumulate in the foot of the scarps. The percolating water forms large and intricate cave systems, which frequently emerge in the scarp zone as high waterfalls.
114:
Cerro Autana like other table-top mountains in the region is the remains of a large sandstone plateau that once covered the granite basement complex between the north border of the Amazon Basin and the
Orinoco, between the Atlantic coast and the Rio Negro. The table-mountain topography is formed as
194:
For the Piaroa
Indians, the original inhabitants of the area, Autana is a sacred mountain (Wahari-Kuawai in the Piaroan language). It is Kuaimayojo, the stump of 'the sacred tree of the fruits of the world'. Piaroan mythology tells how '-the tree-top went as high as the infinite, and its branches
166:
Typical of other tepui formations, the open rock surfaces are inhabited by collections of plant communities which include algae, lichens, mosses and low herbs. The vertical walls are covered by colonies of bromeliads. The greater portion of the summit is covered mainly by open treeless vegetation,
213:) was trapped. Trying to escape, the fish leaped higher and higher, hitting the stump of the Wahari-Kuawai, forming the caves of Autana. Finally, the payara crossed through the mountain and formed the Great Cave, which is also called the Payara Inlet, before leaping free into the Umaj-Ajé River.
145:
and David Nott in 1970 when they landed on the summit by helicopter and descended using ropes and a caving ladder. It was first climbed by
Stephen Platt, David Nott, Wilmer Perez, and Carlos Reyes in 1974 via the 2,000-foot (610 m) North Ridge. The ascent took three days and the party spent
77:
The first
Europeans to visit the region around Cerro Autana were Humboldt and Bonpland in 1800. During 1852-1854 Richard Spruce and Alfred Russel Wallace made numerous observations and botanical collections. Cerro Autana is the landmark of the region of Autana which encompasses the Cerro Autana
167:
savanna-like in appearance. Some forests with trees varying in height from 2.5–10 meters are scattered along portions of the margins. Despite the relatively small area comprising the summit, a number of different habitats and ecological microclimates are manifest.
314:
Huber, O. and S., Zent (1995 ), 'Indigenous People and
Vegetation in the Venezuelan Guayana: Some Ecological Considerations.', in Dieter Heinen (ed.), Nature and Human Ecology in the Neotropics (Scientia Guaianæ 5: Koeltz Scientific Books),
269:
Frost, R. L., Erickson, K. L., and
Kloprogge, T. J. (2005), 'Vibrational spectroscopic study of the nitrate containing hydrotalcite mbobomkulite', Spectrochimica Acta Part a-Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 61 (13-14),
304:
Heinen, H. Dieter, San Jose, José J., and
Caballero, A. Hortensia (eds.) (1995), Naturaleza y ecologĂa humana en el neotrĂłpico = Nature and human ecology in the neotropics (Scientia Guaianae, no. 5, Caracas: O. Huber)
241:
Huber, Otto and
Wurdack, J. J. (1984), History of botanical exploration in Territorio Federal Amazonas, Venezuela (Smithsonian contributions to botany; City of Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press) iii, 83
66:
border. It is characterized by a narrow base, a flat top, and almost vertical walls. Its top is at approximately 1,220 metres (4,000 ft). It belongs to the formations known as
260:
Martini, J.E.J. (1980), 'Sveite, a new mineral from Autana Cave, Territorio
Federal Amazonas, Venezuela', Transactions of the Geological Society of South Africa, 83, 239-41.
1304:
134:. These formations are the result of the dissolution of cemented sandstone which contain parts with certain ratios of limestone and parts with a higher proportion of
400:
251:
Briceño, Henry O. and
Schubert, Carlos (1990), 'Geomorphology of the Gran Sabana, Guayana Shield, southeastern Venezuela', Geomorphology, 3 (2), 125-41.
195:
were full of fruits which fell and gave life to the Amazon'. One day Wahari (a God) and his nephew Ruayei, which had been transformed into a lapa (
74:. Cerro Autana (Wahari-Kuawai ) plays the role of the "tree of life" in the oral history and lore of the Piaroa Indians who inhabit the region.
1299:
1201:
1191:
150:. A team of skydivers and filmmakers made tandem parachute jumps onto the summit in 1985, producing a documentary called "Skydive to Autana".
62:(Autana Mountain) is a geological formation located at the western portion of the Guiana Shield in the Estado Amazonas, Venezuela near the
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1196:
1186:
289:
443:
1261:
21:
1294:
55:
Cerro Autana. Northern exposure. The entrances to the caves are seen on the right side below the line of vegetation.
477:
78:
itself, a smaller adjacent mountain often referred to as the “Autanita”, the Cuao, Autana, and Umaj-ajé rivers and
401:"Catalogue of the amphibians of Venezuela: Illustrated and annotated species list, distribution, and conservation"
1176:
172:
1037:
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1206:
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1146:
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710:
613:
436:
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631:
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800:
784:
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687:
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486:
936:
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364:(Anura: Hylidae: Hemiphractinae) from the summit of Cerro Autana, Estado Amazonas, Venezuela".
1241:
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135:
87:
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1032:
909:
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71:
1265:; includes landforms that may not strictly conform to the definition of a tepui or
1119:
1084:
941:
904:
880:
874:
795:
608:
83:
1269:. Poorly known sites or lower mountains treated as tepuis for historical reasons.
102:
1236:
1226:
1167:
1124:
1113:
766:
760:
222:
82:. Cerro Autana was declared a Natural Monument in 1978, including part of the
1066:
325:
Steyermark, Julian A. (April 1974). "The summit vegetation of Cerro Autana".
36:
23:
1042:
675:
524:
205:
was formed on top of the mountains east of Autana. In one of the rivers, a
186:
to Cerro Autana and is only known from a single specimen collected in 1971.
147:
131:
123:
91:
399:
Barrio-Amorós, C. L.; Rojas-Runjaic, F. J. M. & Señaris, J. C. (2019).
158:
360:
Barrio-AmorĂłs, CĂ©sar L. & Fuentes, Oswaldo (2003). "A new species of
63:
504:
385:
346:
183:
554:
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and Lake Leopoldo. The mountain is also known internationally for
452:
377:
157:
127:
101:
67:
673:
552:
463:
425:
170:
Only two species of amphibians are known from the summit:
421:
1160:
859:
686:
645:
622:
565:
503:
476:
284:. Cambridge UK: Leveret publishing. pp. 1–34.
70:which are characteristic flat-top mountains of the
146:four days mapping the caves before descending by
130:formations, which are rare in rocks other than
437:
8:
683:
670:
562:
549:
473:
460:
444:
430:
422:
162:Cerro Autana in Amazonas state, Venezuela.
1305:Geography of Amazonas (Venezuelan state)
50:
234:
118:Although composed of nearly horizontal
7:
408:Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
126:, Autana contains caves and other
14:
141:The caves were first reached by
1262:Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana
1300:Natural monuments of Venezuela
1259:List sourced from volume 1 of
1:
1321:
1213:Tepui caves and sinkholes
1257:
682:
669:
561:
548:
472:
459:
414:(Special Section): 1–198.
173:Leptodactylus lithonaetes
785:Neblina–Aracamuni Massif
487:Neblina–Aracamuni Massif
282:Autana - Eye of the Gods
37:4.8593361°N 67.4515306°W
280:Platt, Stephen (2015).
211:Hydrolycus scomberoides
1202:SerranĂa de la Neblina
761:Duida–Marahuaca Massif
203:lake (Autana/Leopoldo)
163:
111:
56:
42:4.8593361; -67.4515306
161:
143:Charles Brewer-CarĂas
105:
54:
16:Mountain in Venezuela
1142:Sierra de Maigualida
1295:Tepuis of Venezuela
827:SerranĂa TapirapecĂł
801:Cerro de la Neblina
653:Pacaraima Mountains
493:Cerro de la Neblina
33: /
1217:Cueva del Fantasma
1177:Venezuelan Guayana
1106:Tereke-yurén-tepui
1096:Kamarkawarai-tepui
1072:Cerro Sarisariñama
1048:Wadakapiapué-tepui
772:Cerro Huachamacari
727:Cuao–Sipapo Massif
164:
112:
57:
1282:
1281:
1278:
1277:
1274:
1273:
1233:Tepui waterfalls
1197:Parima–Tapirapecó
1192:Jaua–Sarisariñama
922:Cerro Guaiquinima
696:Cerro Aratitiyope
665:
664:
661:
660:
544:
543:
540:
539:
136:calcium carbonate
88:big wall climbing
1312:
684:
671:
587:Wei-Assipu-tepui
563:
550:
530:Wei-Assipu-tepui
474:
461:
446:
439:
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182:. The latter is
179:Stefania breweri
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1320:
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1283:
1270:
1253:
1187:Duida–Marahuaca
1156:
1147:Sierra MarutanĂ
1130:Sororopán-tepui
1101:Murisipán-tepui
964:Agparamán-tepui
948:Chimantá Massif
927:Cerro Guanacoco
855:
849:SerranĂa YutajĂ©
844:Cerro Coro Coro
791:Cerro Aracamuni
777:Cerro Marahuaca
711:Cerro Tamacuari
678:
657:
641:
624:Potaro-Siparuni
618:
614:Mount Yakontipu
604:Mount Ayanganna
567:Cuyuni-Mazaruni
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154:Flora and fauna
106:Steve Platt on
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1267:table mountain
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1173:National parks
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1137:Sierra de Lema
1134:
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1127:
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1098:
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1091:Aparamán-tepui
1081:
1076:
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1074:
1069:
1057:
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1055:
1050:
1045:
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1035:
1030:
1025:
1023:KaraurĂn-tepui
1020:
1012:Eastern Tepuis
1008:
1007:
1006:
1001:
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991:
986:
981:
979:Chimantá-tepui
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869:Angasima-tepui
865:
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834:
832:Sierra Unturán
829:
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723:
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716:Cerro Yapacana
713:
708:
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674:
667:
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659:
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639:
637:Mount Wokomung
634:
632:Mount Kopinang
628:
626:
620:
619:
617:
616:
611:
606:
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599:Maringma-tepui
596:
595:
594:
589:
584:
576:Eastern Tepuis
571:
569:
559:
558:
553:
546:
545:
542:
541:
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537:
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533:
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514:Eastern Tepuis
509:
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457:
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372:(4): 504–512.
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198:Cuniculus paca
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1222:Sima Humboldt
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1178:
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1152:Upuigma-tepui
1150:
1148:
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1138:
1135:
1131:
1128:
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1068:
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1054:
1053:YuruanĂ-tepui
1051:
1049:
1046:
1044:
1041:
1039:
1036:
1034:
1033:Roraima-tepui
1031:
1029:
1028:Kukenán-tepui
1026:
1024:
1021:
1019:
1016:
1015:
1014:
1013:
1009:
1005:
1002:
1000:
999:TirepĂłn-tepui
997:
995:
992:
990:
987:
985:
982:
980:
977:
975:
974:Apacará-tepui
972:
970:
967:
965:
962:
960:
957:
955:
954:Abacapá-tepui
952:
951:
950:
949:
945:
943:
940:
938:
935:
933:
930:
928:
925:
923:
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916:
913:
911:
910:Cerro La Luna
908:
906:
903:
901:
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897:
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895:
891:
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886:Araopán-tepui
884:
882:
879:
878:
877:
876:
875:Aprada Massif
872:
870:
867:
866:
864:
862:
858:
850:
847:
845:
842:
841:
840:
839:
838:Yutajé Massif
835:
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828:
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821:
818:
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743:Cerro Moriche
741:
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592:YuruanĂ-tepui
590:
588:
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583:
582:Roraima-tepui
580:
579:
578:
577:
573:
572:
570:
568:
564:
560:
556:
551:
547:
531:
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520:Roraima-tepui
518:
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378:10.1655/01-31
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366:Herpetologica
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291:9781912460014
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116:
110:, Autana 1974
109:
104:
97:
95:
93:
89:
85:
81:
80:Lake Leopoldo
75:
73:
72:Guiana Shield
69:
65:
61:
53:
49:
46:
28:67°27′05.51″W
25:04°51′33.61″N
1260:
1247:Yutajé Falls
1120:Carrao-tepui
1114:Ptari Massif
1112:
1085:Los Testigos
1083:
1059:
1038:Tramen-tepui
1010:
1004:ToronĂł-tepui
994:Sarvén-tepui
959:Acopán-tepui
946:
942:Cerro Venamo
937:Cerro Venado
915:Uaipán-tepui
905:Cerro El Sol
894:Auyán Massif
892:
881:Aprada-tepui
873:
836:
807:
796:Cerro Avispa
783:
759:
753:Cerro Sipapo
733:Cerro Autana
732:
725:
706:Cerro Guanay
701:Cerro Camani
609:Mount Venamo
574:
512:
485:
411:
407:
394:
369:
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210:
196:
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140:
117:
113:
107:
92:BASE jumping
84:Autana River
76:
60:Cerro Autana
59:
58:
18:
1237:Angel Falls
1227:Sima Martel
1168:Gran Sabana
1125:Ptari-tepui
1079:KurĂşn-tepui
1061:Jaua Massif
989:Murey-tepui
984:ChurĂ-tepui
969:AmurĂ-tepui
932:Cerro IchĂşn
900:Auyán-tepui
815:Cerro Euaja
809:ParĂş Massif
767:Cerro Duida
748:Cerro Ovana
333:(1): 7–13.
223:Gran Sabana
108:North Ridge
98:Description
90:and exotic
40: /
1289:Categories
1067:Cerro Jaua
820:Cerro ParĂş
738:Cerro Cuao
721:Cerro YavĂ
327:Biotropica
229:References
132:limestones
1043:Uei-tepui
1018:IlĂş-tepui
676:Venezuela
525:Uei-tepui
190:Mythology
124:sandstone
64:Colombian
1207:Yapacana
1161:See also
688:Amazonas
646:See also
478:Amazonas
362:Stefania
270:2919-25.
217:See also
1182:Canaima
1175:of the
861:BolĂvar
505:Roraima
386:3893641
347:2989692
184:endemic
555:Guyana
466:Brazil
453:Tepuis
384:
345:
315:37-64.
288:
209:fish (
207:payara
148:abseil
120:strata
68:tepuis
404:(PDF)
382:JSTOR
343:JSTOR
128:karst
305:425.
286:ISBN
176:and
374:doi
335:doi
122:of
1291::
412:13
410:.
406:.
380:.
370:59
368:.
341:.
329:.
242:p.
94:.
445:e
438:t
431:v
388:.
376::
349:.
337::
331:6
294:.
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