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You are here: Experts > Science > Geography > Geography > geography
Expert: Ralph Salier
Date: 7/10/2008
Subject: geography
Question
How is a mesa created?
Answer
Hi Roger,
A mesa is created by erosion. Typically the top of the Mesa is an old surface like the bottom of a lake or something like that. The land mass that it is part of has been pushed up by techtonic forces and is now high and dry. Then when it rains the water run off begins to carve deeper and deeper gullies and canyons leaving a mesa behind. In some places, the wind can also work to erode the softer layers of the area leaving a mesa behind. It takes millions of years for a mesa to form, like those in the southwest.
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