Basin and Range

The Basin and Range region is an area of the Western United States characterized by alternating mountain ranges (called ranges) and flat valleys (called basins). This landscape forms because the Earth's crust in this area is stretching and thinning, causing some blocks to tilt downward into basins while neighboring blocks uplift into mountains. This geological process results in a pattern of parallel ridges and valleys, creating a distinctive, rugged terrain. The Basin and Range covers parts of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and nearby states, and its formation has influenced the region's climate, ecosystems, and human activity.