mesa
Desert's natural table
A mesa is a flat-topped hill or mountain with steep sides, common in arid regions of the American Southwest.
The word comes from Spanish for "table," describing the distinctive tabletop shape.
Mesas are smaller than plateaus but share the same flat summit created by erosion of surrounding softer rock.
The trail wound up to the mesa overlooking the desert. (Capitalized Mesa is a city in Arizona.)
Elevated flat landform
- butteIsolated flat-topped hill
- plateauFlat highland area
- escarpmentSteep slope dividing elevations
- flat-toppedHorizontally terminated above
elevated · summit · overlook · vantage · crest · highland · upland · peneplain
Parallel geological layers
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- erosionGradual wearing away
- outcropSurfacing native stone
- bedrockSolid stone underground
formation · sandstone · limestone · shale · caprock · sedimentary · minerals · geomorphology
tableland
Elevated flat landform
- butteIsolated flat-topped hill
- plateauFlat highland area
- escarpmentSteep slope dividing elevations
flat-topped · elevated · summit · overlook · vantage · crest · highland · upland · peneplain · cuesta
strata
Parallel geological layers
bedrock · formation · sandstone · limestone · shale · caprock · sedimentary · minerals · geomorphology · weathering
arid
Devoid of water
saguaro · tumbleweed · scorching · sunbaked · barren · drought · parched · canyon · arroyo · badlands
monolith
Huge solitary standing stone
- outcropSurfacing native stone
- cragSteep rugged outcrop
- escarpmentSteep slope dividing elevations
promontory · gorge · spire · pillar · tower · column · overhang
- cosas reservableshotel, entrada, ticket, tour, excursion
- mountain terrainpeak, ridge, slope, gorge, pass
- mueblessofa, closet, credenza
- desert geologyslot canyon, slot canyons, dunes, ergs, butte
- feminine nounsrosa, casa, tierra, agua, luna
- Great PlainsGreat Plains, high plains, High Plains, grassland, grasslands
- Mesa VerdeColorado cliff-dwelling preserve