In geology and physical geography, a plateau (/ pləˈtoʊ, plæˈtoʊ, ˈplætoʊ /; French: [plato]; pl.: plateaus or plateaux), [1][2] also called a high plain or a tableland, is an area of a highland consisting of flat terrain that is raised sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side. [3] .

The meaning of PLATEAU is a usually extensive land area having a relatively level surface raised sharply above adjacent land on at least one side : tableland. How to use plateau in a sentence.

PLATEAU definition: 1. a large flat area of land that is high above sea level 2. a period during which there are no…. Learn more.

Mar 6, 2025 · plateau, extensive area of flat upland usually bounded by an escarpment (i.e., steep slope) on all sides but sometimes enclosed by mountains. The essential criteria for plateaus are low relative relief and some altitude.

Oct 19, 2023 · A plateau is a flat, elevated landform that rises sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side. Plateaus occur on every continent and take up a third of the Earth's land. They are one of the four major landforms, along with mountains, plains, and hills.

May 15, 2021 · Plateaus are raised sections of land, upwelled by natural forces and further modified by rain and wind through erosion. Known to produce holes in the lithosphere and create volcanoes, magma also raises the ground and forms plateaus.

Mar 28, 2025 · Columbia Plateau Aerial View of Columbia Gorge River and Cliffs at Rowena Crest. Covering approximately 100,000 square miles across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, the Columbia Plateau is a striking example of volcanic activity shaping a landscape. Unlike other plateaus that formed primarily through uplift, this plateau was created by successive ...

Plateaus are built over millions of years as pieces of Earth's crust smash into each other, melt, and gurgle back toward the surface. Some owe their creation to a single process; others have been...

Jun 21, 2023 · A plateau, also known as a tableland or a high plain, is defined as an expansive flat highland that is elevated sharply above the adjacent land area on at least one side.

Jun 16, 2023 · Also referred to as a high plain or a tableland, plateaus are expansive flat uplands that rise discernibly above the surrounding region on at least a single side. Plateaus, along with hills, mountains, and plains, are one of the four significant landforms on Earth.