Ask Difference

Mesa vs. Butte — What's the Difference?

By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on February 28, 2024
A mesa is a flat-topped hill with steep sides, larger than a butte, which is similar but smaller and more column-like. Mesas offer expansive areas on top, while buttes present limited space.
Mesa vs. Butte — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Mesa and Butte

ADVERTISEMENT

Key Differences

Mesas are characterized by their broad, flat tops and steep sides, formed from erosion-resistant rock layers. They are remnants of larger plateaus, offering wide, flat areas that can support various ecosystems. Buttes, on the other hand, are narrower, with more pronounced vertical proportions due to more extensive erosion, often standing alone in landscapes.
Both mesas and buttes are products of erosional processes, where softer rock layers are worn away, leaving the harder layers to form their distinctive shapes. However, the size of the top plateau differentiates them significantly, with mesas providing a more substantial surface area.
Mesas have historically provided strategic advantages for settlements due to their elevated positions and flat expanses. Buttes, while also offering elevation, are less frequently used for this purpose due to their smaller surface areas.
The large flat tops of mesas can influence local weather patterns by blocking or redirecting wind and precipitation. Buttes, with their more limited mass, have a lesser impact on local climate but can still serve as notable landmarks in navigation.
Mesas and buttes share similar formation histories, typically involving layers of hard rock over softer sediment, with the softer sediment eroding away over time. The distinction lies in the extent of erosion and the size of the remaining plateau.
ADVERTISEMENT

Comparison Chart

Size

Larger, with extensive flat tops
Smaller, with limited flat tops

Formation

Erosion of plateau leaving flat-topped hill
Erosion leaving a narrow, steep-sided tower

Landscape Impact

Can influence local climates, block winds
Less impact on climate, but notable landmarks

Human Use

Historically used for settlements
Less commonly used for settlements

Geology

Formed from hard rock layers over softer sediment
Similar formation but exhibits more erosion

Compare with Definitions

Mesa

Offers expansive areas suitable for ecosystems.
Various plant and animal life thrive atop the mesa.

Butte

Also formed from erosion, showcasing a column-like appearance.
Erosion patterns on the butte reveal its tough, resistant core.

Mesa

Influences local weather patterns.
The mesa alters wind directions, affecting the surrounding area's climate.

Butte

Serves as a landmark in sparse landscapes.
Travelers used the butte as a navigation point across the plain.

Mesa

Formed through erosion of sedimentary rocks.
The mesa's layered appearance reveals its geological history.

Butte

A small, steep-sided hill with a flat top, smaller than mesas.
The iconic butte stood solitary in the vast desert.

Mesa

Historically significant for human settlements.
Ancient civilizations built settlements on mesas for their strategic advantage.

Butte

Less suitable for large settlements due to size.
The butte's summit offers limited space for development.

Mesa

A flat-topped hill with steep sides, larger than buttes.
The Grand Mesa provides a stunning landscape with its vast, flat surface.

Butte

Can be a part of a mesa that has eroded further.
Over time, parts of the mesa eroded away, leaving behind a butte.

Mesa

A mesa is an isolated, flat-topped elevation, ridge or hill, which is bounded from all sides by steep escarpments and stands distinctly above a surrounding plain. Mesas characteristically consist of flat-lying soft sedimentary rocks capped by a more resistant layer or layers of harder rock, e.g.

Butte

In geomorphology, a butte () is an isolated hill with steep, often vertical sides and a small, relatively flat top; buttes are smaller landforms than mesas, plateaus, and tablelands. The word butte comes from a French word meaning knoll (but of any size); its use is prevalent in the Western United States, including the southwest where mesa (Spanish for "table") is used for the larger landform.

Mesa

An isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides, found in landscapes with horizontal strata.

Butte

An isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top (similar to but narrower than a mesa).

Mesa

A broad, flat-topped elevation with one or more clifflike sides, common in the southwest United States.

Butte

A hill that rises abruptly from the surrounding area and has sloping or vertical sides and a flat top.

Common Curiosities

Can a mesa become a butte?

Yes, as erosion continues, a mesa can further erode into a butte.

What defines a mesa?

A mesa is a large, flat-topped hill with steep sides, formed by erosion, offering a wide area on its summit.

What are common uses for mesas?

Mesas have been used historically for settlements due to their strategic vantage points and flat, expansive areas.

How does a butte differ from a mesa?

A butte is smaller than a mesa, with a more column-like shape and limited space on its flat top, formed similarly through erosion.

Can you find mesas and buttes in any desert?

While common in desert landscapes, their presence depends on geological history and conditions.

Do mesas affect local climates?

Yes, the large flat surfaces of mesas can influence wind and precipitation patterns around them.

Why are buttes considered important landmarks?

Their distinctive, isolated profiles make buttes easy to recognize and use for navigation in vast landscapes.

How long does it take for a mesa to form?

The formation of a mesa is a slow process, occurring over millions of years through erosion.

How are mesas and buttes formed?

Both are formed through the erosion of softer rock layers beneath harder caprock, leaving the flat-topped structures.

Are buttes useful for anything?

Buttes serve as important landmarks and can offer unique ecosystems, though they are less commonly used for human settlements due to their smaller size.

What ecosystems can be found on mesas?

Mesas can support diverse ecosystems, from desert to forest, depending on their climate and altitude.

Are there famous examples of mesas and buttes?

Yes, famous examples include the Grand Mesa in Colorado and Monument Valley's buttes on the Arizona-Utah border.

Can human activity accelerate the erosion of mesas and buttes?

Yes, activities like mining and unchecked tourism can accelerate erosion, altering their shapes.

Is there a size limit distinguishing mesas from buttes?

The distinction is generally qualitative, based on the relative size and shape, without a strict size limit.

How do mesas and buttes contribute to biodiversity?

By providing unique habitats and microclimates, mesas and buttes support diverse plant and animal life.

Share Your Discovery

Share via Social Media
Embed This Content
Embed Code
Share Directly via Messenger
Link
Previous Comparison
Chair vs. Choir
Next Comparison
Ester vs. Ether

Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat

Popular Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Comparisons

Trending Terms