Butte

A butte is a landform consisting of an isolated hill with steep sides and a flat or gently sloping top. It forms through differential erosion, where softer surrounding rock wears away while a harder caprock protects the summit. Buttes are common in arid and semi-arid regions, where wind and water aggressively remove less resistant rock. They are typically smaller and narrower than mesas and plateaus, with a pronounced vertical profile.

Geologically, the caprock of a butte is usually a resistant layer such as sandstone or volcanic rock that sits atop softer strata like shale or siltstone. Erosion at the base and wind abrasion progressively remove the surrounding rock, leaving a prominent, uplifted block that stands well above the surrounding terrain.

In toponymy, the term butte is used in the names of various places. The word originates from the French butte, meaning a small hill. The city of Butte in Montana is the most well-known example, situated in Silver Bow County and historically linked to a large copper-mining district. Other U.S. locations bearing the name include Butte County in California and several smaller communities.