Simple map showing the major physiographic regions of the northwest-central United States.

Earth Science of the Northwest-Central United States

The place where you are right now has a rich geological history that is recorded by the rocks beneath you and the fossils that they may contain. The rocks and fossils reveal the movements of continents and the evolution of new forms of life. This history helps to explain why the Earth looks like it does today. It also explains things like the distributions of natural resources, from rare minerals to rich soils for agriculture. Studying Earth's ancient climate also helps us to make sense of how the climate is changing today and how it will affect us where we live.

The goal of this part of the Earth@Home project is to explain the Earth science of the western United States, which is defined here to include Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Major regions include the Central Lowland, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Columbia Plateau, and the Basin and Range.

Contents


Overviews of Northwest-Central U.S. Earth Science


Simple map showing the major physiographic regions of the northwest-central United States.
Geologic History
Glaciers
Climate
Earth Hazards

Central Lowland Region

The eastern areas of Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.


Simple map showing the Central Lowlands region of the northwest-central United States.
Rocks
Fossils
Topography
Energy
Mineral Resources

Great Plains Region

The western portions of Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, as well as the eastern portions of Montana and Wyoming.


Simple map showing the Great Plains region of the northwest-central United States.
Rocks
Fossils
Topography
Energy
Mineral Resources

Rocky Mountain Region

The western portions of Montana and Wyoming and the northeastern and southeastern parts of Idaho.


Simple map showing the Rocky Mountain region of the northwest-central United States.
Rocks
Fossils
Topography
Energy
Mineral Resources

Columbia Plateau Region

Western, south-central, and part of southeastern Idaho.


Simple map showing the Columbia Plateau region of the northwest-central United States, which occurs entirely within Idaho.
Rocks
Fossils
Topography
Energy
Mineral Resources

Basin and Range Region

A small part of southeastern Idaho.


Simple map showing the Basin and Range region of the northwest-central United States, which occurs entirely within Idaho.
Rocks
Fossils
Topography
Energy
Mineral Resources

Geologic Maps, Topographic Maps, and Earth Science Quick Facts

Simple geologic and topographic maps of each state in the Northwest Central United States, along with quick facts about official state fossils, rocks, minerals, gems, points of highest and lowest elevation, and lists of places to visit.


Idaho
Montana
Nebraska
North Dakota
South Dakota
Wyoming

Resources

Lists of supplemental and teaching resources for the Earth science of the northwest-central U.S., sorted by topic.


Resources

Earth Science Careers

Information about Earth science career paths.


Careers

Credits

Most of the Earth@Home content in the Here on Earth: Northwest-Central United States section is from The Teacher-Friendly Guide to the Geology of the Northwest Central US, edited by Mark D. Lucas, Robert M. Ross, and Andrielle N. Swaby (published in 2015 by the Paleontological Research Institution; currently out of print). The citation for the original book is:

  • Lucas, M. D., R. M. Ross, and A. N. Swaby (eds.). 2015. The Teacher-Friendly Guide to the Earth Science of the Northwest Central US. Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York, 450 pp.

The book was adapted for the web by Elizabeth J. Hermsen and Jonathan R. Hendricks in 2022. Changes include formatting and revisions to the text and images.

Authors for the original chapters adapted for the northwest-central U.S. section of Here on Earth are as follows. Some of the content has been spread over multiple pages on this website, so links are not provided below:

  • Chapter 1. Geologic history of the Northwest Central US: Lisa R. Fisher and Warren D. Allmon.
  • Chapter 2. Rocks of the Northwest Central US: Lisa R. Fisher and Bryan Isaacs.
  • Chapter 3. Fossils of the Northwest Central US: Warren D. Allmon and Dana S. Friend.
  • Chapter 4. Topography of the Northwest Central US: Libby Prueher and Andrielle Swaby.
  • Chapter 5. Mineral Resources of the Northwest Central US: Thom R. Fisher and Robert M. Ross.
  • Chapter 6. Glaciers in the Northwest Central US: Libby Prueher.
  • Chapter 7. Energy in the Northwest Central US: Carlyn S. Buckler and Robert M. Ross.
  • Chapter 8. Soils of the Northwest Central US: Spencer A. Cody.
  • Chapter 9. Climate of the Northwest Central US: Ingrid Zabel and Judith T. Parrish.
  • Chapter 10. Earth Hazards of the Northwest Central US: Libby Preuher and Andrielle Swaby.