Buttes

A butte is an isolated hill with a flat or gently inclined top and steep sides that rises abruptly from a surrounding plain. The term is used in geology and geography to describe a remnant of a once more extensive plateau or mesa. It is derived from the French word butte, meaning a small hill or mound.

Formation and morphology: Buttes typically form in regions where a resistant layer of rock caps softer, more easily eroded strata. Wind and water abrasion erode the surrounding material, while the caprock protects the top from rapid retreat. Over time, this differential erosion leaves a prominent, flat-topped or gently sloped summit perched above cliff-like or steep sides. Materials are often sedimentary rocks such as sandstone or limestone, though other rock types can produce buttes under suitable conditions. Buttes are usually smaller than mesas and can range from tens to hundreds of meters in height, with bases spanning from a few hundred meters to a few kilometers.

Distribution and examples: Buttes are common in arid and semi-arid landscapes where episodic erosion dominates and vegetation is sparse. They are characteristic of the Colorado Plateau in the southwestern United States and are found in various desert regions around the world. Notable examples include the Mitten Buttes in Monument Valley, a famous pair of isolated, flat-topped hills that rise from the desert floor.

Relation to other landforms: In common usage, buttes are distinguished from mesas by their smaller size and narrower top. Very small, slender spires may be called chimneys or pinnacles, while larger, solitary rock masses may be described as monadnocks. But the boundaries between terms are not strictly defined and usage can vary by region.