The Basin and Range Province is a geological area located largely in the Southwestern U.S. Portions of several states, including most of Nevada, lie within the Basin and Range.


The Basin and Range has formed over millions of years as tectonic forces have stretched and thinned the Earth's crust by pulling it in opposite directions. As the crust is pulled apart, it breaks and forms cracks called faults. As the crust continues to stretch, blocks of crust slide up and down along the faults. The result of this is a pattern of topography that alternates between high and low areas.


The diagram below is a cross section of typical Basin and Range structure. The cross section shows what would be seen from the side if a slice was made through the Earth's crust. Examine the diagram, and then answer the question that follows.




The Basin and Range Province gets its name from its distinct topography. Based on the diagram above,

A.
basins do not form between ranges.
B.
basins are lower areas, and ranges are higher areas.
C.
basins and ranges are at equal elevations.
D.
basins are higher areas, and ranges are lower areas.