The Geologic Story of the Great Plains A nontechnical description of the origin and evolution of the landscape of the Great Plains

The Great Plains stretch from the Mexican border up into Canada, a sweeping “welcome mat” that hides a surprising richness of landforms—from the dramatic canyons cut by the Pecos and Rio Grande to the endless grainfields of Kansas and the stark beauty of the Badlands. This guide invites listeners to set aside the myth of a featureless prairie and discover the contrast of prairie grass, scattered trees along river floodplains, and the occasional lone mountain that punctuates the horizon.

Drawing on the latest geological research, the narrative walks you through the ancient forces that shaped the region: massive glaciers, shifting climate zones, and the slow retreat of forests that gave way to the grasslands we see today. It also weaves in the human story, recalling the routes of Lewis and Clark, Pike, and the Oregon Trail, and explains how the land’s water, rainfall, and elevation continue to influence both the natural environment and the modern traveler’s experience.