Plateau

A plateau is a landform characterized by an elevated area that rises significantly above the surrounding terrain while having a flat or gently sloping top. The defining feature of a plateau is the combination of two qualities: steep sides and a level summit. This distinguishes it from mountains, which have sides that extend gradually over long distances, and from plains, which have no elevation.

Plateaus are among the most widespread landforms on Earth. They are found on every continent and vary in size, elevation, and formation. Some extend for hundreds of kilometers, while others are small areas nestled between mountains.

Formation

Many plateaus form through tectonic activity, when a section of the Earth's crust is gradually raised without fracturing or folding. Another type forms from successive layers of basalt lava that solidify into a hard, flat surface. Other plateaus result from the erosion of older mountains, which reduces them to a high-level plain.

Erosion and landscape

When rivers cut through a plateau, they carve deep valleys into its interior, dividing the plateau into separate sections of smaller plateaus and ridges. Consequently, older plateaus tend to appear fragmented with irregular sides, while younger plateaus remain more uniformly flat.

Climate and human settlement

The elevation of plateaus moderates temperature, so plateaus in warm regions typically have moderate climates. For this reason, many plateau areas support substantial populations engaged in agriculture and livestock herding. High, cold plateaus become inhospitable, inhabited by few people.