Q. In geographical context, the terms mesa and butte are:
Answer: A hill and a flat land
Notes: In geography, a mesa is a flat-topped mountain with steep sides, while a butte is a flat-topped hill with steep sides. The choice between mesa and butte depends on the shape and size of the landform. A mesa is an isolated, broad, flat-topped mountain with at least one steep side. Mesas are smaller in area than a plateau. Mesas are abundant in the southwestern states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona. A butte is a small isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides. Buttes are smaller in area than a mesa. Buttes are typically isolated landmarks that appear steep-sided and flat-topped, though often only from certain angles. Buttes were created through the process of erosion, the gradual wearing away of earth by water, wind, and ice. The word butte comes from the French word butte, meaning knoll. The word mesa comes from the Spanish word for "table".

This question is part of 40000+ General Studies MCQ Series Course on GKToday Android app. Question Number: 20 in Physical Geography - Various Landforms in above course in App.