The Sierra Nevada of California reflects a complex tectonic history of late Mesozoic-early Cenozoic convergence along the western margin of North America, subsequent Laramide batholith unroofing, and Neogene-Quaternary extension and translation on the eastern edge of the range. Although long thought to be the product of very recent uplift, recent studies indicate that the Sierra Nevada has persisted as an elevated topographic feature throughout the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic. This ancestral Sierra Nevada is now widely regarded to have formed the western edge of a high elevation plateau -- the 'Nevadaplano' that covered much of what is now Nevada and western Utah -- similar to the Andean Altiplano-Puna. The topography, extent, and drainage of this plateau remain uncertain, and questions persist as to the tectonic history, paleo-elevations, erosional patterns, and drainage system of the ancestral range. Cenozoic gold-bearing fluvial deposits are locally exposed in the northern part of the range, overlain by a sequence of Oligocene ignimbrites originally sourced from central Nevada. These geologic units provide an important record of the topographic and geomorphic evolution of the range during a controversial time period in the history of the region. Paleo-landscape reconstructions based on sedimentology, stratigraphy, geochronology, geochemistry, and geologic mapping provide both a detailed reconstruction of the evolution of the ancestral Sierra Nevada drainage system and multiple lines of evidence to support the conclusion that the northern range likely acted as the steep western flank of a gradually sloping high-elevation plateau in the Oligocene. Miocene to Recent extension lowered elevations across what is now the western Basin and Range, possibly associated with gravitational spreading of overthickened, magmatically and radiogenically heated crust.

Geology and Landscape Evolution: General Principles Applied to the United States, Second Edition, is an accessible text that balances interdisciplinary theory and applications within the physical geography, geology, geomorphology and climatology of the United States. The vast diversity of terrain and landscape across the United States makes this an ideal tool for geoscientists worldwide who research the country's geological and landscape evolution. The book provides an explanation of how landscape forms, how it evolves and why it looks the way it does. This new edition is fully updated with greater detail throughout and additional figures, maps, drawings and photographs. Rather than limiting the coverage specifically to tectonics or to the origin and evolution of rocks with little regard for the actual landscape beyond general desert, river and glacial features, this book concentrates specifically on the origin of the landscape itself, with specific and exhaustive reference to examples from across the United States. The book begins with a discussion of how rock type and rock structure combine with tectonic activity, climate, isostasy and sea level change to produce landscape and then explores predicting how landscape will evolve. The book goes on to apply those concepts to specific examples throughout the United States, making it a valuable resource for understanding theoretical geological concepts through a practical lens. - Presents the complexities of physical geography, geology, geomorphology and climatology of the United States through an interdisciplinary, highly accessible approach - Offers hundreds of full-color figures, maps and photographs that capture the systematic interaction of land, rock, rivers, glaciers, global wind patterns and climate, including Google Earth images - Provides a thorough assessment of the logic, rationale, and tools required to understand how to interpret landscape and the geological history of the Earth - Features exercises that conclude each chapter, aiding in the retention of key concepts - Updated with greater detail throughout and additional figures, maps, drawings and photographs - Includes additional subheadings so that material is easier to find and digest - Includes an all-new chapter on glaciation and expanded exercises using Google Earth images to enhance understanding

Allow yourself to be taken back into deep geologic time when strange creatures roamed the Earth and Western North America looked completely unlike the modern landscape. Volcanic islands stretched from Mexico to Alaska, most of the Pacific Rim didn’t exist yet, at least not as widespread dry land; terranes drifted from across the Pacific to dock on Western Americas’ shores creating mountains and more volcanic activity. Landscapes were transposed north or south by thousands of kilometers along huge fault systems. Follow these events through paleogeographic maps that look like satellite views of ancient Earth. Accompanying text takes the reader into the science behind these maps and the geologic history that they portray. The maps and text unfold the complex geologic history of the region as never seen before. Winner of the 2021 John D. Haun Landmark Publication Award, AAPG-Rocky Mountain Section