The extensive terrace deposits of the Venezuelan Andes reach a maximum thickness of 200 meters. They are widespread on the piedmont areas and in the interior longitudinal and transverse valleys. The oldest terrace--Pliocene-Villafranchian--is contemporaneous with the tectonic force which produced the Andean arch. The three younger terraces were deposited during the uplift of the Andes and the accompanying subsidence of the surrounding land. These deformations explain the staggering of the terrace levels which reach an altitude of 500 meters above the recent thalwegs. The terrace deposits are primarily the product of reworked latosols deposited before the uplift of the Maracaibo horst. The youngest terrace represents a transition between the second and third terraces and the recent alluvium. The alternating periods of erosion and deposition are the result of climatic oscillations. The three most recent alluvial covers (Quaternary) are the result of the blocking of the major valleys by mudflows and landslides interrupted periodically by cyclones and accompanying diluvial rains. Results of granulometric and petrographic analyses of the deposits are presented in tabular form.