Torres del Paine National Park

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/torres-del-paine-national-park

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is Torres del Paine National Park?Approximately 181,414 hectares (700 sq mi)
2. When was Torres del Paine National Park built?1959
3. What is the location?Southern Chilean Patagonia, within the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica Region
4. What is the geological composition?Primarily Cretaceous-era granite (Torres del Paine) and sedimentary rock (Cuernos del Paine)
5. What are the Torres del Paine?The Torres del Paine are three giant granite peaks that rise up to 2,500 meters and are part of the Cordillera del Paine. They look like blue towers and attract climbers and photographers.
6. Why are the glaciers in Torres del Paine important?The glaciers, like Grey, Pingo, and Tyndall, melt into rivers and lakes, creating turquoise waters and helping to shape the park’s landscape. Their changes also show how the climate is changing.

Geological Erosion: The process by which natural forces like glaciers and wind wear away and shape the Earth's surface.
Tectonic Uplift: The process where the Earth's crust is pushed upwards due to forces within the planet.
Rock Flour: Fine sediment created by glaciers grinding rocks, which gives glacial lakes their distinctive milky or turquoise color.
Sustainable Tourism: Traveling in a way that respects the environment, local culture, and economy, ensuring resources are available for the future.