flat topped hills crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're tackling the clue "flat topped hills crossword," you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of solutions, along with detailed explanations, to help you complete your puzzle and expand your vocabulary.
Solutions for "flat topped hills crossword" by Letter Count
4 Letters
MESA: A flat-topped hill or small mountain, typically with steep sides, common in arid and semi-arid regions.
5 Letters
BUTTE: An isolated hill or small mountain rising abruptly from the surrounding land, often with steep, sloping sides and a flat top. Often smaller than a mesa.
7 Letters
PLATEAU: An area of relatively level high ground, usually more extensive than a mesa, often formed by large-scale uplift or volcanic activity.
More About "flat topped hills crossword"
The clue "flat topped hills" is a classic in crosswords, often pointing to specific geographical formations. The most common answer, MESA, originates from the Spanish word for "table," perfectly describing its flat summit. These unique landforms are found worldwide but are particularly iconic in the American Southwest, where they contribute to dramatic desert landscapes.
Understanding the subtle distinctions between terms like MESA, BUTTE, and PLATEAU can give you an edge in crosswords. While a mesa is a medium-sized flat-topped elevation, a butte is generally smaller and more isolated, often resembling a natural tower. A plateau, on the other hand, refers to a much larger, extensive area of flat, elevated land. Knowing these nuances helps you select the correct answer based on the number of letters required and any additional context provided by the puzzle.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Letter Count First: When faced with a clue like "flat topped hills," immediately check the number of letters required. This instantly narrows down your options from MESA (4 letters) to BUTTE (5 letters) or PLATEAU (7 letters) or other less common terms.
- Context is Key: Pay attention to any other words in the clue or surrounding clues. Sometimes, a puzzle might specify "small flat-topped hill" (suggesting BUTTE) or "large flat-topped region" (suggesting PLATEAU).
- Think Geographically: Many crossword clues related to natural phenomena like hills and mountains draw on specific geographical terms. Familiarize yourself with common geological formations to build your crossword vocabulary.
- Look for Plurals: Always double-check if the answer needs to be plural. While "flat topped hills" implies plural, the answer itself is often singular (e.g., MESA, even if there are many of them).
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a mesa and a butte?
While both are flat-topped landforms, a mesa is generally larger than a butte. A mesa has a broader flat top, whereas a butte is a more isolated, column-like hill with a smaller summit. Geographers often use the rule of thumb that a butte's top is wider than its height, while a mesa's top is wider than its height and also wider than its base.
Why do flat-topped hills occur?
Flat-topped hills, like mesas and buttes, are typically formed through erosion. They are remnants of elevated areas where harder, erosion-resistant rock layers cap softer rock below, protecting it from being worn away. As surrounding softer material erodes, these caprock-protected structures are left standing.
Are flat-topped hills only found in specific regions?
While they are most famously associated with arid and semi-arid regions like the American Southwest and Australia, where erosion patterns are conducive to their formation, similar landforms can be found worldwide wherever the right geological conditions (layered sedimentary rock with varying resistance to erosion) exist.