Indian Wells Valley is an arid north-south basin in east-central
California. In the geologic sense, it is a southern extension of
Owens Valley to the north, with the recent volcanics of the
Coso Range being the separator. It is defined by a major fault on the west side of the valley. Unlike Owens Valley, it is bound by a fault to the south, the
Garlock Fault (within the El Paso Mountains). This valley is part of the northwesternmost
Mojave Desert plant community and
ecoregion.