Is Death Valley in the Interior Lowlands?

No. Death Valley is **not** in the Interior Lowlands. They are distinct physiographic provinces separated by ~1,000 km.

Interior Lowlands (Central US)

• Location: Between Appalachians (E) and Great Plains (W).
• Sub-regions: Mississippi Alluvial Plain, Ozark Plateau, Ouachita Mtns, Interior Low Plateaus, Central Lowland (glacial till plains).
• States: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee.
• Elevation: 100–500 m (300–1,600 ft).
• Geology: Paleozoic sedimentary bedrock, glacial drift north.

Death Valley (Mojave Desert, Basin and Range Province)

• Location: Eastern California / Western Nevada.
• Province: **Basin and Range** — alternating N-S fault-block mountains & valleys.
• Elevation: **Badwater Basin: -86 m (-282 ft)** — lowest in North America. Telescope Peak: 3,366 m (11,043 ft).
• Geology: Cenozoic extension, metamorphic core complexes, alluvial fans, playa (salt flat).
• Climate: Hottest/driest in NA (56.7°C / 134°F record).

Why the Confusion?

"Lowlands" suggests low elevation. Death Valley is **lowest** — but **tectonically, climatically, and geographically distinct**. Interior Lowlands = stable craton platform. Basin and Range = active extension.

Death Valley is in the **Mojave Desert → Basin and Range Province → Pacific Mountain System (Physiographic Division)**. Interior Lowlands = **Interior Plains Division**.