The Basin and Range Province is elevated despite a thinned
tectonic plate. The average elevation is 1400 meters (4593 feet) above sea level.
Sediments deposited into the
basins from the erosion of adjacent mountain ranges have increased the height of the basins.
Due to the
continental
rifting, the hot, flowing
mantle is
closer to the surface in this region. This leads to higher heat flow
throughout the area.