Basin and Range

California’s portion of the Basin and Range province takes its name from a series of basins (valley-like depressions) and surrounding mountain peaks (ranges). The basins are actually not true valleys at all. Tectonic forces, not water, are the primary agents shaping this landscape. Another name for this juxtaposition of landscape features is horst and graben topography.

The Basin and Range province hugs California’s eastern border with Nevada. North of the Mojave, the region resembles an isosceles triangle pointing north. The Basin and Range is unique among The Golden State’s physiographic regions in that it has two discontinuous exclaves a couple hundred miles farther north. Around Susanville and again in the extreme northeastern portion of the state, the Basin and Range province makes an appearance. This is because the Basin and Range is actually a much larger feature that extends across almost the whole of Nevada and east into Utah as well.

Bristlecone Pine

Twisted and gnarled from centuries of exposure to the elements, bristlecone pines (Pinus longaeva) are the longest living trees in the world. The oldest specimen has been documented as being over 5,000 years old.

Tufa Towers

One of the odder examples of geomorphology found in the Basin and Range is the tufa tower. Tufa towers are columns of calcium carbonate. They form in alkaline lakes that are rich in dissolved carbonate. Underwater springs pump calcium-saturated water through fissures and cracks in the the lake bed. The solids then precipitate out. And much like an icicle hanging from a roof, the towers grow slowly though accretion.

Geothermal Activity

The land in and near the Long Valley Caldera is riddled with geothermal activity. This hot spring is located along Hot Creek.

Gold Mining in Death Valley

Despite its remoteness and hardships, Death Valley nonetheless attracted intrepid souls in search of mineral wealth. Gold was usually the lure and any strikes made were usually significantly smaller than expectations. The Last Chance Mine was prospected on such dreams.

Historic Owens Lake

As late as 1905 Owens Lake was a body of water over 100 square miles in size and upwards of 30 ft. deep. Once Los Angeles started diverting the streams that fed the lake, it dried up to an alkaline flat in but a few years. (Photo courtesy of The Eastern California Museum).

« ‹ 1 of 5 › »