Answer:
The floor of Death Valley is about two miles lower than the mountain peaks around it because of the action of tectonic forces and erosion over millions of years.
Step-by-step explanation:
The floor of Death Valley is about two miles lower than the mountain peaks around it because of the action of tectonic forces and erosion over millions of years. Death Valley is located in the Basin and Range region of the southwestern United States, which is characterized by a series of parallel mountain ranges and valleys. The Basin and Range region was formed by the movement of the Earth's crust, as the Earth's tectonic plates collided and pushed against each other, causing the crust to buckle and form the mountains and valleys.
Over time, the mountains in the Basin and Range region were also shaped by the forces of erosion, as water and wind wore away at the rock and soil. This process of erosion can be particularly intense in desert environments, where the lack of vegetation and the intense heat can accelerate the rate of erosion. In the case of Death Valley, the erosion of the surrounding mountains may have occurred at a faster rate than the uplift of the valley floor, leading to the formation of the deep, steep-sided valley that is characteristic of the region.
The combination of tectonic uplift and erosion has created the distinctive topography of Death Valley, with its towering mountains and deep valleys. This process has been ongoing for millions of years, and it continues to shape the landscape of the region today.