* The Appalachian Plateau is a broad, uplifted area encompassing most of western Pennsylvania. The topography of the plateau consists of rolling hills and valleys, cut by deep, meandering streams. The plateau is underlain by layers of sedimentary rocks, including sandstone, shale, and coal.
* The Ridge-and-Valley Province, sometimes called the "Great Valley," is a series of long, narrow valleys separated by parallel ridges. The ridges are formed by erosion-resistant sandstone, while the valleys are composed of softer limestone and shale. The province extends across central Pennsylvania from Maryland to New York.
* The Blue Mountain Province is a narrow, rugged mountain range rising along the eastern edge of the Ridge-and-Valley Province. The mountains are formed by quartzite, a hard, metamorphosed sandstone. The province extends from northeastern Pennsylvania to southern Pennsylvania.
* The Piedmont Province is a rolling upland lying between the Blue Mountain Province and the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The province is underlain by crystalline rocks, including gneiss, schist, and quartzite. The Piedmont Province extends across southeastern Pennsylvania from New York to Maryland.
* The Atlantic Coastal Plain is a narrow, low-lying coastal plain bordering the Atlantic Ocean in southeastern Pennsylvania. The plain is composed of unconsolidated sediments, including sand, clay, and gravel.