Mesa Rocks! |
| MESA ROCKS this is a spanish & portuguese word meaning table. it is a elevated area of land with the flat top & sides that are usually steep cliffs. it is in table top shape. Mesa form in area where horizontally layered rocks are uplifted by tectonic activity. the differences in strength of various rock layers is what gives mesas their distinctive shape. less resistant rocks, are eroded away on the surface into valley. where they collect water drainage from the surrounding area, while they more resistant layers are left standing out. a large area of very resistant rock, such as sill may shield the layers below it from erosion while the softer rock surrounding it is eroded into valley. thus forming caprock. difference in rock type also reflect on the sides of mesa, as instead of smooth slopes, the sides are broken into a staircase pattern calle "cliff &-bench topography". |