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{{short description|Plateaus area that has been severely eroded so that the relief is sharp}}
{{globalize|article|the USA and other English-language countries|date=November 2015}}
{{globalize|article|the USA and other English-language countries|date=November 2015}}
[[File:A melhor hora para visitar o morro é ao entardecer.JPG|thumb|300px|View of the dissected plateau at [[Chapada Diamantina]], [[Brazil]].]]
{{merge|truncated upland|date=July 2016}}
[[File:WV plateau.jpg|right|thumbnail|Shaded relief map of Cumberland Plateau and Ridge and Valley Appalachians on the Virginia/West Virginia border]]
[[file:A melhor hora para visitar o morro é ao entardecer.JPG|thumb|300px|View of the dissected plateau at [[Chapada Diamantina]], [[Brazil]].]]
A '''dissected plateau''' is a [[plateau]] area that has been severely eroded such that the relief is sharp. Such an area may be referred to as mountainous, but dissected plateaus are distinguishable from [[orogen]]ic mountain belts by the lack of [[fold (geology)|folding]], [[Metamorphic rock|metamorphism]], extensive [[Geological fault|faulting]], or [[magma]]tic activity that accompanies [[orogeny]].
[[Image:WV plateau.jpg|right|thumbnail|Shaded relief map of Cumberland Plateau and Ridge and Valley Appalachians on the Virginia/West Virginia border]]
A '''dissected plateau''' is a [[plateau]] area that has been severely eroded so that the relief is sharp. Such an area may be referred to as mountainous, but dissected plateaus are distinguishable from [[orogen]]ic mountain belts by the lack of folding, [[Metamorphic rock|metamorphism]], extensive [[Geological fault|faulting]], or [[magma]]tic activity that accompanies [[orogeny]].


==Formation==
The [[Allegheny Plateau]],<ref>Jones, Stephen B.1; Saviello, Thomas B [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/saf/njaf/1991/00000008/00000001/art00002;jsessionid=ch9ro92dh3bn2.alice?format=print ''A Field Guide to Site Quality for the Allegheny Hardwood Region''] Northern Journal of Applied Forestry, Volume 8, Number 1, 1 March 1991 , pp. 3–8(6)</ref> the [[Cumberland Plateau]],<ref>[http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1151h/physiography.html ''PHYSIOGRAPHY''] Wayne L. Newell</ref> the [[The Ozarks|Ozark Plateau]],<ref>[http://www.theozarkschronicle.com/archives/sciencemar07.htm The Ozarks Chronicle]
A dissected plateau may also be formed, or created, usually on a comparatively small scale, by the levelling of terrain by planing and deposition beneath an [[ice sheet]] or perhaps, an [[ice cap]].{{cn|date=August 2022}}
</ref> and the [[Catskill Mountains]]<ref>[http://www.catskillcenter.org/atlas/geomorphology/geo_1_3dtopography.htm Catskill Center] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029034005/http://www.catskillcenter.org/atlas/geomorphology/geo_1_3dtopography.htm |date=2009-10-29 }}</ref> in the United States and the [[Blue Mountains (Australia)|Blue Mountains]] in [[Australia]] and the [[Deccan Plateau]] in [[India]] are examples of dissected plateaus formed after regional uplift. These older [[Tectonic uplift|uplift]]s have been eroded by [[Creek (stream)|creeks]] and [[river]]s to develop steep relief not immediately distinguishable from [[mountain]]s. Many areas of the Allegheny Plateau and the Cumberland Plateau, which are at the western edge of the [[Appalachian Mountains]] of eastern [[North America]], are called "mountains" but are actually dissected plateaus. One can stand on the top of one of these high "mountains" and note that all the other tops are nearly the same height, which represents the original elevation profile of the [[plain]] before uplift, and thereafter the subsequent weather erosion.


A dissected plateau may also be formed, or created, usually on a comparatively small scale, by the levelling of terrain by planing and deposition beneath an [[ice sheet]] or perhaps, an [[ice cap]]. Subsequently, during the same or a later [[Glaciation|glacial]], the margins of the [[Till|glacial till]] plain are removed by [[glacier]]s, leaving the plateau into which erosion by [[water]] incises [[valley]]s. Such a plateau may be level or gently sloping but may be distinguished by the till caps on its hills. Glacial till is still widely known in [[United Kingdom|Britain]] by the older name of boulder clay.
Subsequently, during the same or a later [[Glaciation|glacial]], the margins of the [[Till|glacial till]] plain are removed by [[glacier]]s, leaving the plateau into which erosion by [[water]] incises [[valley]]s. Such a plateau may be level or gently sloping but may be distinguished by the till caps on its hills. Glacial till is still widely known in [[United Kingdom|Britain]] by the older name of boulder clay.{{cn|date=August 2022}}


Dissected [[volcanic plateau]]s include the [[Pajarito Plateau]] in [[New Mexico]], on the skirt of the enormous [[Valles Caldera]].<ref>{{cite book
Dissected [[volcanic plateau]]s include the [[Pajarito Plateau]] in [[New Mexico]], on the skirt of the enormous [[Valles Caldera]].<ref>{{cite book
|title=The Pajarito Plateau: A bibliography
|title=The Pajarito Plateau: A bibliography
|first=Frances Joan
|first=Frances Joan
|last=Mathien
|last=Mathien
Line 23: Line 23:
|year=1993
|year=1993
|url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/band/pajarito_plateau.pdf
|url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/band/pajarito_plateau.pdf
|access-date=2010-01-04
}}</ref> Isolated portions of this plateau are known as [[mesa]]s, and long, connected portions are known as [[Potrero (landform)|potrero]]s.
|archive-date=2011-09-19
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919160812/http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/band/pajarito_plateau.pdf
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> Isolated portions of this plateau are known as [[mesa]]s, and long, connected portions are known as [[Potrero (landform)|potreros]].


==See also==
==Distribution==
The [[Allegheny Plateau]],<ref>Jones, Stephen B.1; Saviello, Thomas B [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/saf/njaf/1991/00000008/00000001/art00002;jsessionid=ch9ro92dh3bn2.alice?format=print ''A Field Guide to Site Quality for the Allegheny Hardwood Region''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004164713/http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/saf/njaf/1991/00000008/00000001/art00002;jsessionid=ch9ro92dh3bn2.alice?format=print |date=2012-10-04 }} Northern Journal of Applied Forestry, Volume 8, Number 1, 1 March 1991, pp. 3–8(6)</ref> the [[Cumberland Plateau]],<ref>[http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1151h/physiography.html ''PHYSIOGRAPHY''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514005658/http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1151h/physiography.html |date=2008-05-14 }} Wayne L. Newell</ref> the [[The Ozarks|Ozark Plateau]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theozarkschronicle.com/archives/sciencemar07.htm |title=The Ozarks Chronicle |access-date=2007-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403085639/http://theozarkschronicle.com/archives/sciencemar07.htm |archive-date=2008-04-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the [[Catskill Mountains]]<ref>[http://www.catskillcenter.org/atlas/geomorphology/geo_1_3dtopography.htm Catskill Center] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029034005/http://www.catskillcenter.org/atlas/geomorphology/geo_1_3dtopography.htm |date=2009-10-29 }}</ref> in the United States, the [[Blue Mountains (Australia)|Blue Mountains]] and [[Hornsby Plateau]] in [[Australia]] and the [[Deccan Plateau]] in [[India]] are examples of dissected plateaus formed after regional uplift.{{cn|date=August 2022}}
*[[Summit accordance]]
*[[Syrt]], [[denudation]]al uplands or dissected plateaus in Turkic toponymy of [[Russia]] and [[Central Asia]]


These older [[Tectonic uplift|uplifts]] have been eroded by [[Creek (stream)|creeks]] and [[river]]s to develop steep relief not immediately distinguishable from [[mountain]]s.{{cn|date=August 2022}}
==References==

Many areas of the Allegheny Plateau and the Cumberland Plateau, which are at the western edge of the [[Appalachian Mountains]] of eastern [[North America]], are called "mountains" but are actually dissected plateaus. One can stand on the top of one of these high "mountains" and note that all the other tops are nearly the same height, which represents the original elevation profile of the [[plain]] before uplift, and thereafter the subsequent weather erosion.{{cn|date=August 2022}}

== See also ==
*{{annotated link|Summit accordance}}
*{{annotated link|Syrt}}, [[denudation]]al uplands or dissected plateaus in Turkic toponymy of [[Russia]] and [[Central Asia]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Plateaus]]
[[Category:Dissected plateaus| ]]
[[Category:Erosion landforms]]

Latest revision as of 14:45, 4 August 2024

View of the dissected plateau at Chapada Diamantina, Brazil.
Shaded relief map of Cumberland Plateau and Ridge and Valley Appalachians on the Virginia/West Virginia border

A dissected plateau is a plateau area that has been severely eroded such that the relief is sharp. Such an area may be referred to as mountainous, but dissected plateaus are distinguishable from orogenic mountain belts by the lack of folding, metamorphism, extensive faulting, or magmatic activity that accompanies orogeny.

Formation

[edit]

A dissected plateau may also be formed, or created, usually on a comparatively small scale, by the levelling of terrain by planing and deposition beneath an ice sheet or perhaps, an ice cap.[citation needed]

Subsequently, during the same or a later glacial, the margins of the glacial till plain are removed by glaciers, leaving the plateau into which erosion by water incises valleys. Such a plateau may be level or gently sloping but may be distinguished by the till caps on its hills. Glacial till is still widely known in Britain by the older name of boulder clay.[citation needed]

Dissected volcanic plateaus include the Pajarito Plateau in New Mexico, on the skirt of the enormous Valles Caldera.[1] Isolated portions of this plateau are known as mesas, and long, connected portions are known as potreros.

Distribution

[edit]

The Allegheny Plateau,[2] the Cumberland Plateau,[3] the Ozark Plateau,[4] and the Catskill Mountains[5] in the United States, the Blue Mountains and Hornsby Plateau in Australia and the Deccan Plateau in India are examples of dissected plateaus formed after regional uplift.[citation needed]

These older uplifts have been eroded by creeks and rivers to develop steep relief not immediately distinguishable from mountains.[citation needed]

Many areas of the Allegheny Plateau and the Cumberland Plateau, which are at the western edge of the Appalachian Mountains of eastern North America, are called "mountains" but are actually dissected plateaus. One can stand on the top of one of these high "mountains" and note that all the other tops are nearly the same height, which represents the original elevation profile of the plain before uplift, and thereafter the subsequent weather erosion.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mathien, Frances Joan; Steen, Charlie R.; Allen, Craig D. (1993). The Pajarito Plateau: A bibliography (PDF). Professional Paper. Southwest Cultural Resources Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-19. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  2. ^ Jones, Stephen B.1; Saviello, Thomas B A Field Guide to Site Quality for the Allegheny Hardwood Region Archived 2012-10-04 at the Wayback Machine Northern Journal of Applied Forestry, Volume 8, Number 1, 1 March 1991, pp. 3–8(6)
  3. ^ PHYSIOGRAPHY Archived 2008-05-14 at the Wayback Machine Wayne L. Newell
  4. ^ "The Ozarks Chronicle". Archived from the original on 2008-04-03. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  5. ^ Catskill Center Archived 2009-10-29 at the Wayback Machine