tasandik

Tasandik is the Estonian term for a plateau or tableland, an elevated region with a relatively flat or gently undulating surface that rises above the surrounding landscape and is often bounded by steeper slopes or escarpments. The word is used in geographic contexts to describe high, flat terrain in contrast to mountains or lowlands.

Plateaus vary greatly in size, from small mesas to continental-scale uplands. Their tops are typically flat or gently undulating, and their sides may rise in cliffs or steep slopes. Topography can include features such as rivers that exit across the edge, remnants of cap rocks, or areas with mesal formations and karst processes.

Formation occurs through multiple processes. Plateaus can form by tectonic uplift that raises large crustal blocks, by volcanic activity that lays down extensive lava plains, or by differential erosion that wears surrounding terrain away more quickly than the plateau surface. A resistant rock layer at the top often protects the plateau from rapid erosion, helping maintain its flat surface over long periods.

Climate and ecology on plateaus are influenced by elevation and latitude. Some plateaus host diverse ecosystems and unique species, while soils may range from rocky and shallow to fertile, depending on local geology and climate.

Examples of well-known plateaus include the Tibetan Plateau in Asia, the Colorado Plateau in North America, the Deccan Plateau in India, the Ethiopian Highlands in Africa, the Brazilian plateaus in South America, and the Anatolian Plateau in Turkey.