Intermontane Plateaus Region: Geography and Provinces
This paper examines the Intermontane Plateaus Region of the western United States, also known as the Intermountain West. It surveys the region's four major physiographic provinces — the Columbia Plateau, the Colorado Plateau, the Basin and Range Province, and the Intermediate Province — describing how each was formed, what geological periods shaped them, which states they encompass, and what distinguishes their terrain, climate, and land use. Special attention is given to the extensive lava fields of the Intermediate Province's Columbia River Basin and the role of the Snake River in exposing underlying geological features.
- Introduction to the Intermontane Plateaus Region: Overview of region's four physiographic provinces
- The Columbia Plateau Province: Igneous plateau formed in Miocene and Pliocene
- The Colorado Plateau Province: Dry plateau west of Southern Rocky Mountains
- The Basin and Range Province: Ancient faults extending into Mexico
- The Intermediate Province and Its Lava Fields: Vast volcanic lava fields of Columbia River Basin
- The Snake River Canyon and Geological Significance: River erosion reveals buried pre-lava terrain
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What makes this paper effective
- Consistently applies a parallel structure when introducing each province — covering location, geological formation period, and terrain characteristics — making the paper easy to follow.
- Uses specific details, such as the lava fields' depth of more than 4,000 feet and their coverage of nearly 200,000 square meters, to ground abstract geographical concepts in concrete data.
- Transitions logically between provinces while noting meaningful contrasts, such as the difference in erosion between the northern and southern portions of the Basin and Range Province.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective comparative geography writing. Rather than treating each province in isolation, it draws direct comparisons — for example, noting how the southern Basin and Range areas are flatter and more eroded than their northern counterparts, and how the Intermediate Province's lava fields are anomalous relative to surrounding terrain. This comparative lens gives the descriptive content analytical weight.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a regional overview and then proceeds province by province in a consistent format. Each section addresses geographic extent, geological history, and distinctive physical features. The final section zooms in on the Snake River's role in revealing buried terrain, ending on a synthesis note that ties the provinces together as a unified region. This is appropriate for an undergraduate-level geography survey paper.
Introduction to the Intermontane Plateaus Region
The Intermontane Plateaus Region is located in the western United States. Some people refer to it, or parts of it, as the Intermountain West (Hardwick). There are both mountain ranges and plateaus located there, and the entire area is subdivided into physiographic provinces, which are further subdivided into sections. The four provinces are the Columbia Plateau Province, the Colorado Plateau Province, the Basin and Range Province, and the Intermediate Province (Hardwick). All are important to the landscape and ecosystem of the area, and all differ in how they were formed and what they offer in terms of terrain.
The Columbia Plateau Province
The Columbia Plateau comprises much of Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, and Nevada (Hardwick). It is primarily igneous in composition, and flood basalts are also found there. It was first formed during the Miocene and Pliocene periods (USGS).
The Colorado Plateau Province
In contrast, the Colorado Plateau lies west of the southern portion of the Rocky Mountains. Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona all contain parts of it (Hardwick). Large-textured landforms are its main characteristic; the plateau was shaped during the Paleozoic, Tertiary, and Mesozoic time periods (USGS). The climate is very dry, which affects not only how the area was originally formed but how it continues to change and evolve in the modern day. This aridity makes agriculture and the raising of livestock difficult throughout much of the plateau, although nearby areas with slightly different terrain are more suitable for such activities.
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