Desert basin and range terrain: what this kind of ground tends to produce

Basin and range terrain, the alternating pattern of mountain ranges and flat desert valleys common across much of the American Southwest, tends to be geologically active or historically active, meaning a lot of volcanic and mineralizing activity over geologic time. This kind of terrain is classically associated with agate and jasper in washes and alluvial fans, thundereggs and geodes in areas with rhyolite volcanic flows, and various copper related minerals like azurite, malachite, and turquoise near old mining districts, since a lot of copper deposits in this style of terrain formed through the same volcanic and hydrothermal processes. As always, check current BLM or Forest Service rules for the specific area, and respect any staked claims.