Here's why:
* Pleistocene Glaciation: The Catskills were significantly impacted by the Pleistocene glaciations, which occurred between 2.6 million and 11,700 years ago.
* Erosion by Ice Sheets: Massive ice sheets advanced and retreated across the region, carving out valleys, deepening riverbeds, and shaping the landscape. The weight of the ice sheets also depressed the land, leading to the formation of the plateau.
* Evidence: The Catskills exhibit classic features associated with glacial erosion, such as U-shaped valleys, cirques (bowl-shaped depressions), and glacial lakes.
While other agents of erosion, like wind and water, also play a role, glacial erosion is considered the primary force responsible for the distinctive mountainous topography of the Catskills.
