Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism: Shaping the Landscapes of Western North America
Introduction Western North America is one of the most geologically active regions on Earth. Its dramatic landscapes—including towering mountain ranges, deep valleys, volcanic peaks, plateaus, rift basins, fault scarps, and coastal cliffs—have been shaped primarily by tectonic activity, earthquakes, and volcanism over millions of years. These powerful endogenic (internal) forces continue to modify the region,…