In the state of Minas Gerais/Brazil, a plateau unit has been identified through geomorphological mapping, in the upper basin of the Sao Francisco river. This unit was developed over granite rocks of the Divinópolis Complex and clay rocks of the Bambuí Group. The occurrence of topographic variations, denudational processes with variable intensities, the characteristics of the drainage and dissection patterns, and depositional forms indicate the presence of tectonic activity during the Cenozoic. The neotectonic movements uplifted the Domes Plateau of Arcos and controlled the development of sculptural forms.

The topographic variations caused by the distribution of granite rocks between the heights of 720 and 1020m, which show a topographic unevenness of 300m in a stretch of approximately 7km on a map, reflect a tectonic dislocation due to the domes uplifting in a small stretch of land.

The presence of an annular-radial drainage pattern, associated with V-shaped, downcutting and high hydraulic gradient valleys, are signs of intense dissection processes related to uplifting.

Geomorphological forms which are sculptured on the granite dome, such as: dissection, terrace levels, intense headwater erosion by the fluvial channels, gullies, narrow-topped dissected watersheds, fluvial valleys in closed V-shaped, remains of planation surfaces associated with laterites levels forming rapids and local base levels controlling the formation of alluvial plains segments, indicate that the dome has undergone uplifting.