The Great Basin is primarily shaped by faults and basins.

The landscape of the Great Basin is mainly shaped by tectonic activity, specifically faults and basins. This geological process, known as basin-and-range topography, occurs when faults in the Earth's crust cause the land to stretch and fracture. As a result, the region is characterized by alternating mountain ranges and deep valleys or basins. These geological features are responsible for the Great Basin’s distinctive appearance, where the mountains rise sharply from the flat desert floors. The faulting and stretching of the land have also contributed to the arid and unique environmental conditions found in the Great Basin.