The peninsula can be separated into two physiographic areas—
highlands and
lowlands. The highlands dominate the western half of the peninsula, and rise to above the surface of Lake Superior. The lowlands of the eastern portion of the peninsula rise to only , over an area wide. With the exception of
diabase dikes and the large diabase
sill that forms the upper portion of the Sleeping Giant, the peninsula is underlain by
sedimentary rocks, which strike northeast and slope towards the southwest, forming a
cuesta. ==History==