1. Formation of the American Southwest (including Nevada) Basin and Range Geology

2. Hundreds of Millions of Years Ago The American Southwest was under water. Sediment piled creating layers of Sedimentary Rock. The Land was uplifted creating a flat plateau. Plateau: very Flat land

3. 15 million Years ago The land begins to stretch. Creates normal faults Causing some fault block to sink. High points = Ranges(mountains) Low points = Basins (valleys) Range Basin

4. Where are the faults? Which direction is the land stretching?

5. This pattern is seen all over the Southwest as North-South Running Basins and Ranges

6. This is how Las Vegas Valley Formed West side of Valley (Red Rock) North-South Running Range North-South running Basin

7. More Evidence around town

8. Fault Blocks weather and erode over time, so there are not always sharp drops

9. Las Vegas Alluvial Fans weathered fault blocks

10. Arial View of an Alluvial Fan