Final answer:
The Laramide Orogeny was characterized by extensive thrust faulting and the production of intermontane basins and large lakes. This geological event resulted in the formation of folded and uplifted mountain ranges, such as the Rocky Mountains.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Laramide Orogeny was characterized by extensive thrust faulting and the production of intermontane basins and large lakes.
Thrust faulting refers to the movement of rock layers over each other along a gently dipping fault plane. This type of faulting can result in the formation of folded and uplifted mountain ranges, such as the Rocky Mountains. The Laramide Orogeny, which occurred during the Late Mesozoic and Early Cenozoic, was responsible for the formation of the Rocky Mountains.
The production of intermontane basins and large lakes is another characteristic of the Laramide Orogeny. Intermontane basins are low-lying areas located between mountain ranges, while large lakes are formed within these basins. These basins and lakes often serve as repositories for sediments eroded from the surrounding mountains.