Tectonic compression caused the Sierra Nevada's uplift through crustal deformation and tilting along fault systems.

The uplift of the Sierra Nevada is primarily attributed to tectonic compression resulting from the subduction of the ancient Farallon Plate beneath the North American Plate. This compression caused the crust to thicken and tilt, forming the characteristic steep western slope and gradual eastern slope of the range. Later, during the Cenozoic Era, normal faulting along the eastern Sierra escarpment enhanced its elevation. Uplift was further aided by isostatic rebound, where eroded material reduced weight on the crust, causing it to rise. While erosion and glacial carving shaped its topography, tectonic forces are the primary driver behind the Sierra Nevada's uplift.