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The Andringitra Massif ("desert of rocks") is a granite
massif In geology, a massif ( or ) is a section of a planet's crust that is demarcated by faults or flexures. In the movement of the crust, a massif tends to retain its internal structure while being displaced as a whole. The term also refers to a ...
located within Andringitra National Park in
Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Afric ...
. The range is approximately long. In its central area, the range is almost wide, though it is much narrower on either end. Pic Boby, the highest peak, stands at 2658 meters (8,720 ft) high. The massif varies dramatically based on slope and altitude. The eastern slopes tend to be barren, with abrupt cliffs and channels scoured into the rock by erosion from tropical storms. The western slopes tend to slope more gradually, and are partly forested. The mountains' base is tropical, but the forest gives way to thick carpets of
lichen A lichen ( , ) is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship. At approximately , there is a belt of hardy shrubs. Above this belt the mountains are a grassland. Today, it is mainly occupied by herders and shepherds who move in a bid to find the freshest grazing grounds for their livestock. Tourists and adventurers have also visited the area as it provides both
hiking Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century.AMATO, JOSEPH A. "Mind over Foot: Romantic Walking and Rambling." In ''On Foot: A Histor ...
and backpacking opportunities, as well as views of its geological formations.


Geology

The massif is located in a relatively geologically-stable area, on solid
Precambrian The Precambrian (or Pre-Cambrian, sometimes abbreviated pꞒ, or Cryptozoic) is the earliest part of Earth's history, set before the current Phanerozoic Eon. The Precambrian is so named because it preceded the Cambrian, the first period of th ...
ground, which is evidence of the fact that these mountains were formed by a relatively sudden volcanic event. The mountains have many sharp cliffs and rises, as well as several volcanic formations. The Andringitra Massif contains many notable granite erosion sites, which have been formed over millions of years.


References

{{reflist Mountain ranges of Madagascar Fianarantsoa Province Madagascar ericoid thickets