A butte (IPAEng: byu:t) is an isolated hill with steep, often vertical sides and a small, relatively flat top; smaller than mesas, plateaus, and tables. In some regions the word is simply used for any hill. The word "butte" comes from a French word meaning "small hill"; its use is prevalent in the western United States, including the southwest where "mesa" is also used.

One standard holds that a mesa has a surface area over , while a butte has a surface area less than 1,000 m². Geographers use the rule of thumb that a mesa has a top that is wider than its height, while a butte's top is narrower than its height.

Formation

Buttes are formed by erosion when a cap of hard rock, often of volcanic origin, called cap rock, covers a layer of softer rock that is easily worn away. The hard rock avoids erosion while the soft rock around it wears down. One example of a noted butte is Chimney Rock. Also, Crested Butte in Colorado. On a much smaller scale, the same process forms hoodoos.

Image:BlackButteOR_Russell_ric00804.jpg|Black Butte, near Sisters, Oregon Image:Signal Mountain TX 1900.jpg|Signal Butte near Big Spring, Texas

See also

• Monadnock
• Potrero
• Tepui
• Tuya

References