How are mesas, plateaus, and buttes formed?

Mesas and buttes do not arise as completed landforms through sudden geological events. They have been shaped over millions of years by the slow, orderly process of erosion. They are part of a series of landforms that naturally erode into other landforms. read more

Mesas are usually smaller than plateaus (due to erosion) while buttes are usually formed from further erosion off of mesas or plateaus, making them even smaller. As seen on the following image. The visual difference between a butte and a mesa/plateau. read more

A mesa is an isolated, flat-topped hill or mountain with steep sides that is smaller in area than a plateau. A butte is also a flat-topped hill with steep sides, though smaller in area than a mesa. Definitions of the surface areas of mesas and buttes vary. read more

Mesas, like buttes and plateaus, are first formed by the uplifting of hardened layers of lava which the sides are eroded over time by wind and water. read more