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Phase
Vl
KOTA MAMA VI
- BOLIVIA
22 June - 7 August 2007
The Iturralde
Structure is an 8 km wide crater remotely located in
the Bolivian Amazon It is perhaps the site of the most
recent ‘big’ meteorite impact with Earth.
Sergeotechmin, the Bolivian Geological Institute has
requested a joint in-depth survey of the area with the
SES.
A team of approximately
31 persons from Australia, Bolivia, Britain and Colombia
and elsewhere will set out on the expedition to achieve
the following objectives: |
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a
geological study of the impact crater |
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donation
of medical equipment and treatment |
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study
of the water supply problems at Fatima and Candelaria |
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installation
of a new water supply system at Ojaki |
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give
veterinary and agricultural advice to villagers |
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investigate
the Double Nosed Andean Tiger-Hound |
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donation
of school books and items for the Ojaki church |
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establishing
a satellite phone link between Ojaki and British children |
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gather
information for a supplement to the earlier eco-tourist
guide map, showing the area explored during this expedition.
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It
is hoped that aerial reconnaissance by paramotors will
improve access to the crater area, which is extremely
challenging. In 2005, the recce party was accompanied
by the Ojaki people who have agreed to work with the expedition.
In return the SES will install a clean water supply and
provide basic dental and medical support for this desperately
poor but deeply religious community. |
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Village
schools here lack even the most basic materials and facilities.
Drinking water is drawn from the increasingly polluted
river by descending steep, slippery banks. The terrain
is inhospitable and difficult: savannah, dense jungle
and swamp, teeming with snakes and insects.
Satellite images of the crater have revealed a circular
feature in the Bolivian Amazon Basin, 400kms NE of La
Paz. This 8 km wide structure is thought to be a meteorite
impact crater, formed 5000 to 30,000 years ago. Such a
collision would have had important biological and geological
effects within much of the Amazon Basin and is of great
scientific interest. If found to be a very young crater,
its creation may be reflected in the indigenous folklore.
Conclusive results and answers to many questions remain
elusive due to difficult access and adverse conditions. |
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Our
earlier foray into the area found abundant and rich fauna
and flora which may attract eco-tourists and boost the
local economy. An interesting discovery by the recce party
was a strange, double-nosed dog, named Bella at Ojaki,
vindicating a much earlier sighting in 1913. It is thought
that these dogs were taken to South America by Spanish
Conquistadores and called the Double-Nosed Andean Tiger
Hound. |
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We
are extremely grateful to J P Knight for sponsoring the
boats for this expedition. |
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