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ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Mesa

Mesa

A mesa is a flat-topped mountain or hill.

Grades

5 - 12+

Subjects

Earth Science, Geology, Geography, Physical Geography



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Morgan Stanley
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A is a flat-topped or . It is a wide, flat, elevated with sides.

Mesa is a Spanish word that means table. Spanish explorers of the American southwest, where many mesas are found, used the word because the tops of mesas look like the tops of tables.

Mesas are formed by , when water washes smaller and softer types of away from the top of a hill. The strong, rock that remains on top of a mesa is called . A mesa is usually wider than it is tall.

Mesas are usually found in dry where rock layers are .

Fast Fact

Tabletop Community
There are over 300 lakes on top of the Grand Mesa, in Colorado, as well as a state highway.

Media Credits

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Writers
Kim Rutledge
Melissa McDaniel
Santani Teng
Hilary Hall
Tara Ramroop
Erin Sprout
Jeff Hunt
Diane Boudreau
Hilary Costa
Illustrators
Mary Crooks, National Geographic Society
Tim Gunther
Editors
Jeannie Evers, Emdash Editing, Emdash Editing
Kara West
Educator Reviewer
Nancy Wynne
Producer
National Geographic Society
other
Last Updated

October 19, 2023

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