Geography Blog: Rio De Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is famous for its beautiful beaches. Their landscape is a big reason why Rio is so attractive to tourists. Rio has an ironic landscape; it is a coastal landscape but is surrounded by mountains which are home to one of the largest forest in the world within an urban area.

Rio is the largest coastal city in Brazil and has many landscapes like the islands, reefs, and bays. This helps create Rio’s landscape and is a reason why it is the 16^th longest coastline in the world.

Rio’s weather is very humid and sits between 60-80 degrees year round. However rainfall in Rio is heavy and can cause many problems for its citizens. I feel that with this type of landscape Rio is prone to more rain fall which can cause floods and landslides.

Leblon Beach - Rio

Rio de Janeiro's Future Landscapes?

Rio Landscape in 1000 years

In 1000 years I predict that Rio will be hit with a severe Thunderstorm that will cause landslides in the landscape. Many of the homes in Rio are located on mountain sides and the landslides will leave many citizens homeless. Rio was hit by a massive storm in 2004. Many felt it was Brazil’s first hurricane and with its evidence taken by The U.S. National Hurricane Center it confirms the storm was actually a category 1 hurricane. Because Brazil was hit by its first Hurricane I feel that another thunderstorm will come in the next 1000 years. This will cause many problems for the citizens of Rio because their houses are built on a hillside. A landslide will occur because the slope will weaken due saturation from the heavy rain fall in Rio.

Landslide in Rio de Janeiro

In 10,000 Years

With Rio’s ironic landscape there are many fascinating things that can happen in the future. I predict in 10,000 years Rio will have a notched cliff which will eventually be under water. Like the picture below the cliff was separated from its original place and moved into the water for Rio citizens to dive from. The sea levels will rise in 10,000 years because according to the National Geographic the levels will rise because of thermal expansion and melting of glaciers.

Rock Diving

Favela Swimming pool

In 1,000,000 years

The National Geographic clearly states the warming of the planet will continue and cause sea levels to rise. The water can rise between 2.5 and 6.5 feet. This can swamp many cities as well. I predict the Sugar Loaf mountain will begin to go under water. The Sugar loaf Mountain is a peak in Rio de Janeiro at the mouth of Guanabara Bay. The mountain is 1,299 ft. above the harbor but with the warming of the planet the water will continue to expand and rise.

First described by Charles Darwin I feel that the sugar Loaf mountain resembles the picture talked about in class. The Sugar Loaf Mountain could go through Atoll Formation which can also cause the mountain to be submerged underwater. Atoll’s generally form through tectonic plate collisions or plate movements. Eventually I think the Sugar Loaf Mountain will experience what the picture below shows and turn into an Atoll over time.