Mensae

Mensae are a class of table-like landforms in planetary geology. The plural mensae (singular mensa) refers to flat-topped hills or mountains with steep to vertical sides that rise above the surrounding terrain. The name is Latin for "table," reflecting their flat summits. The term is used in IAU nomenclature for features on Mars and elsewhere, to describe such mesas regardless of exact origin.

Most mensae are formed by differential erosion of a more extended plateau, often with a resistant rocky cap protecting underlying material from erosion. They can also form as remnants of lava flows or sedimentary deposits that were more extensive in the past. The resulting morphology—a relatively flat to gently sloped top with steep sides—gives them their characteristic appearance.

On Mars, mensae are particularly common in rocky, layered terrains and within impact basins and volcanic regions. They vary widely in size, with widths ranging from several kilometers to tens of kilometers and heights of hundreds to a few thousand meters. The study of mensae contributes to understanding the geological history of their host worlds, including the nature of past surfaces and processes.

Notable examples include several named mensae on Mars identified by the IAU, often located in highland and plains regions. See also: Mesa, Plateaus, Mesa in planetary geology; See also the IAU's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.