Weathering

Urubamba River at the start of the Inca Trail^

 Apurimac River^

Paucartambo River (in Paucartambo not Cusco) ^

Weathering in the Cusco region and surrounding mountains has taken a huge effect.  There has always been strong river erosion due to the high Andean lifting happening in the mountains.  This river erosion is caused by three major rivers: Urubamba, Apurimac, and the Paucartambo rivers.  The closest related mountain range, Cordillera Vilcabamba, is marked by deep canyons from the constantly eroded rivers.  River erosion of the Urubamba, in particular shows alluvial terraces in the terrain.  There have been mud and landslides on the mountains surrounding Cusco causing an array of weathering agents to the land.  The abundance of rain led to landslides and floods that have caused more than just beautiful canyons.  They are destroying homes too.  

 An interesting concept of weathering near Cusco is the human caused weathering of Machu Picchu.  Up to 2,000 people come to see Machu Picchu, the trails and original structures are slowly being eroded by the travelers’ feet.  That is just a small step of erosion, but then there is the total destruction of the surrounding environment with talk of a road and cable car running from the valley to the top of Machu Picchu.