Question
11. Compare and contrast desert plateaus, mesas, and buttes. Describe the
formation of each.
T
Answer
Desert plateaus, mesas, and buttes are all flat-topped landforms found in arid regions.
Desert plateaus are large, elevated areas of flat land that rise above the surrounding terrain. They are formed by tectonic uplift or erosion of softer rock layers.
Mesas are smaller than plateaus and have steep sides and a flat top. They are formed by erosion of the surrounding rock, leaving a resistant layer of rock on top.
Buttes are similar to mesas but are smaller and more isolated. They are formed by erosion of the surrounding rock, leaving a narrow, isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top.
Overall, the main difference between these landforms is their size and shape, with plateaus being the largest and most expansive, followed by mesas and then buttes.