Varvite Park in Brazil
Summary Author: Monikeli Wippel
Varvite Park is a geological monument in the town of Itu – located about 60 miles (95 km) northeast São Paulo, Brazil. The artificial rock outcrops in an abandon quarry are the result of mining activity dating back to the early 18th century. Following many years of mining, this area was converted into a municipal park in 1995 and now represents a milestone in the protection and valuing of geoheritage in Brazil.
The photo above shows a varvite present in the park. Varvite is a name used by geologists to designate a kind of sedimentary rock formed by the repetitive succession of pairs of layers or laminas deposited over the years. The name "varvite" is derived from the word “varve” of Swedish origin. It is generally used to designate rhythmic sedimentary seasonal deposits, which said another way means they are controlled by how the deposits formed based on variation in weather throughout the year. The most known type of varve is represented by laminas or layers of sediments in fractions of sand, silt, and clay. Photo taken on April 22, 2022.
Photo details: Moto G9, f/1.7, ISO-100, 1/897 second exposure
Varvite Park, Brazil Coordinates: -23.2636, -47.3011
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