The Great Basin is known for its salt flats, which are remnants of ancient lakes that evaporated, leaving behind vast areas covered with salt deposits.

Salt flats, such as the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, are a defining feature of the Great Basin. These flat, barren areas are formed when water from ancient lakes, like Lake Bonneville, evaporates in the region's dry climate, leaving concentrated salt deposits. The Great Basin lacks tropical vegetation, rainforests, and glacial fjords due to its arid environment, high elevation, and geological history. Its unique terrain reflects a combination of desert basins, mountain ranges, and these striking salt flats.