Basin and range topography is characterized by alternating parallel mountain ranges and valleys. It is a result of crustal extension due to mantle upwelling, gravitational collapse, crustal thickening, or relaxation of confining stresses.[1][2] The extension results in the thinning and deformation of the upper crust, causing it to fracture and create a series of long parallel normal faults. This results in block faulting, where the blocks of rock between the normal faults either subside, uplift, or tilt. The movement of these blocks results in the alternating valleys and mountains. As the crust thins, it also allows heat from the mantle to more easily melt rock and form magma, resulting in increased volcanic activity.[3]
- ^ Gans, P. B., & Miller, E. L. "Extension of the Basin and Range Province: Late orogenic collapse or something else?". Retrieved May 11, 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Liu, M., Shenm, Y. (1998). "Crustal collapse, mantle upwelling, and cenozoic extension in the north american cordillera". Tectonics. 17 (2): 311–321. Bibcode:1998Tecto..17..311L. doi:10.1029/98tc00313.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Scott, Nicolle (April 17, 2012). "The Basin and Range Province of the United States". Emporia State University. Archived from the original on September 12, 2019.