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What landforms are typical of the Basin and Range Province?
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North American Desert
Physical features of western North America.
The Basin and Range Province is characterized by a distinct topography defined by the interplay between uplifted mountain blocks and sediment-filled lowlands. Typical landforms include:
- Mountain Ranges: Numerous roughly parallel, north-south trending ranges formed by faulting and tilting. These block mountains rise significantly above the surrounding plains.21
- Basins: Nearly flat, sediment-filled desert plains that separate the mountain ranges. These basins often contain alluvial fans formed by debris washed down from the mountains.23
- Playas and Salt Lakes: Because many basins lack drainage outlets, water accumulates in playas (mud flats that occasionally hold shallow water) or salt lakes, such as the Great Salt Lake.23
- Unique Depressions: The region includes specialized features like the Salton Trough, a concave basin that descends below sea level, and Death Valley, which serves as a notable example of a deep, sediment-filled basin.2