The Tepuis of Venezuela
In The Tepuis of Venezuela, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how wind and rain have carved sandstone mountains into a landscape like something out of a fictional world. As wind and rain impact the mountains, so too do the mountains impact the weather system. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: What forces led to the formation of the tepuis?
A: Sandstone mountains formed, then wind and rain eroded them into plateaus and towers.
Q: How does the landscape impact the weather?
A: Warm winds from the sea, full of moisture, are forced upward by the mountains. The air cools and forms clouds, which bring daily tropical downpours.
Q: What kind of life do you think thrives in this environment?
A: Student responses will vary based on observations from the video and scientific inference.