Day 6 - The Hike to Africa

Today was the earliest day by far, since we were up by 6, if you round down. We had another great breakfast of sausage, cheese, and pastries, just like the other 5 breakfasts we had in Brazil. The Papagaios farm harbored good number of cows, fierce bulls, horses and most importantly, like 20 puppies. However, little did we know, this would be the hike of our geological lives.

It all started out easy enough, walking on a dirt trail with only the occasional rock to avoid. After a solid kilometer of reasonable hiking, we reached the end of the trail. Then we had to create our very own path as we hiked along, confused about what or where our destination was. Our confusion was especially exacerbated by Guil’s abrupt 90 degree turns. We reached a wet marshy area where the cows and horses grazed. Suddenly we had to leap across treacherous streams on little stones and quick-step through deceitful grasses. REI apparently told Avarna that her boots could handle the game, but empirical evidence in the field suggests that she was wet up to the knees. Meanwhile, we also had to worry about weaving around the plentiful cow dung.

No one knew what to expect from today, but when we reached the escarpment, we saw the most breathtaking view as of yet, and our hike definitely paid off. The favorable conditions allowed our sight to capture the civilization past the valley below to the ocean beyond. And with a little Earth science to enhance our sight, we saw Africa. In the Cretaceous period, the Equatorial Atlantic Gateway opened up and the sedimentary basin that once connected South America and Africa separated. Standing on the western graben in Brazil, we gave a shout out the now distant twin brother in Africa, the eastern graben of the volcanic rocks. 

After taking in the sights, we headed back the way we came, facing the same hazards along the way. However, we made some stops at important geological structures, including obsidian rocks (volcanic glass) and areas with rocks that had geodes. The principle of bubblization was also introduced. The vesicles we saw indicate that the magma flowed effusively. In other cases, when there are sufficient volatile gases in the magma, the magma most likely travels with a loud KABOOM, as Lydia would illustrate with her large collection of sound effects.

When we finally returned to the Papagaios farm, Pablo, waking up from a Gucci nap, and lots of food greeted us. At dinner, the usual good ol’ downtime kicked in. Virginia had the cocktail of the century and the rest of us relied on beer and Catafesta.

Rhyolite Ryan & Xis Jota (XJ)