r/geography Geography Enthusiast 26d ago

Why aren't there any large cities in this area? Discussion

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u/KakaoFugl 26d ago

Next question - why does 90% look like this?

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u/Fantastic-Ear706 26d ago

It’s the great plains! Lol Glaciers flattened it

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u/RoryDragonsbane 26d ago

Glaciers caused the central lowlands, but didn't go far enough to form the Great Plains. They were once the bottom of a sea

https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/geology/publications/bul/1493/sec1.htm

https://npshistory.com/publications/geology/bul/1493/sec3.htm

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u/[deleted] 26d ago

The Appalachian mountains were so heavy, they pushed the Great plains under water

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u/GooGooMukk 26d ago

Sitting in the rain shadow of the Rockies; enough water for grass, but not for trees.

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u/plug-and-pause 26d ago

Next question, why is it sitting in the rain shadow of the Rockies?

(Not actually asking, just trying to continue the chain of silly whys)