Basin and Range Province

The Basin and Range Province is a large region in the western United States characterized by numerous parallel mountain ranges separated by flat, desert valleys called basins. This landscape formed due to tectonic forces causing the Earth's crust to stretch and thin, resulting in the uplift of mountain ranges and the sinking of basins. The area spans about 400,000 square miles and features a rugged terrain with diverse ecosystems, playing a significant role in the region's geology and climate. It is a prime example of extensional tectonics shaping the Earth's surface over millions of years.