The Highlands
The Appalachians
Logan's Line is one of the most famous faults in Canada. It separates the flat low lying St. Lawrence Lowlands from the Appalachian mountains. 200 million years ago, during the early Mesozoic era, fold mountains were formed due to the collision of North American and European plates. Vulcanism occurred as the continental plates divided, evidence of faulting can still be seen in uplands such as the Cape Breton Highlands. -
Erosion has reduced much of the Canadian portion of the Appalachians to peneplain. This region has numerous glacial valleys and is generally rugged. Ice and water deposits have leveled out some areas and filled them with soil. Population is concentrated in river valleys, sea coast and larger cities are located in deep harbours. Great variety of geological activity means mineral resources are varied.
The Western Cordillera
The Western Cordillera The western cordillera is the highest and most rugged landform region. The Cordillera has two major mountain ranges. Both ranges are formed mainly of folded sedimentary rock. Fossils have been found several thousand metres above sea level, meaning both were once sea floors. The Rockies were folded because of the movement of the North American plate toward the pacific one. The mountains of the cordillera are scarcely populated. Most of the population is concentrated in the valleys and troughs.
Innuitian Mountains
Innuitian Mountains Location: – A mountain range in Canada's Arctic territories of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories • Physical Description: – In some locations they measure over 2,500 meters in height, and 1290 km in length – Shaped at a time when the North American Plate moved northward – They are younger than the Appalachians, and so erosion has not yet rounded them significantly • Biological Features: – They are above the tree line, preventing any vegetation from existing • Resources: – Largely unexplored, due to the hostile climate. They are named after the northern indigenous people, who live in the region.