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42-782: The Mesa Range ( 73°11′S 162°55′E  /  73.183°S 162.917°E  / -73.183; 162.917  ( Mesa Range ) ) is a range of flat-topped mesas comprising the Sheehan, Pain, Tobin and Gair Mesas, situated at the head of the Rennick Glacier in Victoria Land , Antarctica. It was given this descriptive name by the northern party of the New Zealand Geological Survey Antarctic Expedition (NZGSAE) of 1962–63. The Gair, Tobin and Pain mesas are in

84-539: A party of the New Zealand Geological Survey Antarctic Expedition (NZGSAE) on it had to be abandoned when USS Glacier was damaged in pressure ice in December 1958. It was named by NZGSAE, 1958–59, as a tribute to the hazardous work of pilots and other airmen in Antarctic exploratory and scientific operations. The Aviator Glacier forms on the plateau of Victoria Land and flows in a generally southward direction along

126-403: A section can be cut off from the main cliff, forming a mesa. Basal sapping occurs as water flowing around the rock layers of the mesa erodes the underlying soft shale layers, either as surface runoff from the mesa top or from groundwater moving through permeable overlying layers, which leads to slumping and flowage of the shale. As the underlying shale erodes away, it can no longer support

168-748: A steep cliff or slope and representing an erosion remnant also have been called mesas. In the English-language geomorphic and geologic literature, other terms for mesa have also been used. For example, in the Roraima region of Venezuela, the traditional name, tepui , from the local Pomón language, and the term table mountains have been used to describe local flat-topped mountains. Similar landforms in Australia are known as tablehills , table-top hills, tent hills, or jump ups ( jump-ups). The German term Tafelberg has also been used in

210-564: Is called differential erosion. The most resistant rock types include sandstone , conglomerate , quartzite , basalt , chert , limestone , lava flows and sills . Lava flows and sills, in particular, are very resistant to weathering and erosion, and often form the flat top, or caprock , of a mesa. The less resistant rock layers are mainly made up of shale , a softer rock that weathers and erodes more easily. The differences in strength of various rock layers are what give mesas their distinctive shape. Less resistant rocks are eroded away on

252-533: The Intention Nunataks , at the west side of the head of Astronaut Glacier. Named by the Southern Party of NZGSAE, 1966–67, because none of the three parties that had visited the area had time to examine these hills. 72°59′S 165°12′E  /  72.983°S 165.200°E  / -72.983; 165.200 . A group of hills at the south side of the head of Astronaut Glacier, along

294-548: The Mountaineer Range , descending along the southeast side of Deception Plateau to enter Aviator Glacier. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, in recognition of services rendered by pilots of United States Navy Squadron VX-6 in Antarctica, and in association with Aviator Glacier. 73°01′S 163°30′E  /  73.017°S 163.500°E  / -73.017; 163.500 . A large névé at

336-557: The Southern Cross Mountains , flowing east along the south side of Arrowhead Range to enter Aviator Glacier. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, in association with Aviator, Aeronaut, and Astronaut Glaciers. 73°37′S 164°51′E  /  73.617°S 164.850°E  / -73.617; 164.850 . A tributary glacier in the Southern Cross Mountains, flowing east along

378-731: The United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960-64. Named by the United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) after Lieutenant (later Captain) Brian H. Shoemaker, United States Navy, helicopter pilot with Squadron VX-6 at McMurdo Station, 1967. Tributaries from the left (east) include, from north to south: 73°05′S 164°05′E  /  73.083°S 164.083°E  / -73.083; 164.083 . A broad southwest flowing tributary to upper Aviator Glacier, joining

420-490: The Aviator Glacier Tongue, which extends into Lady Newnes Bay to the east of Cape Sibbald and west of Wood Bay . Tributaries from the right (west) include, from north to south: 73°16′S 163°36′E  /  73.267°S 163.600°E  / -73.267; 163.600 . A glacier of low gradient, about 25 nautical miles (46 km; 29 mi) long, draining northeast from Gair Mesa into

462-660: The Aviator Glacier south of Navigator Nunatak. The Aviator Glacier flows southeast past the Arrowhead Range , where it is joined from the west by the Cosmonaut Glacier. It is then joined from the northeast by the Pilot Glacier and turns south, past the Southern Cross Mountains to the west, from which it is joined by Cosmonette Glacier and Shoemaker Glacier, before turning southeast and forming

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504-539: The Cockburn Range of North Western Australia have areas as large as 350 km (140 sq mi). In contrast, flat topped hills with areas as small as 0.1 km (0.039 sq mi) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains , Germany , are described as mesas. Less strictly, a very broad, flat-topped, usually isolated hill or mountain of moderate height bounded on at least one side by

546-659: The Detachment A winter party at McMurdo Station, 1967. 73°09′S 163°30′E  /  73.150°S 163.500°E  / -73.150; 163.500 . A small group of low rock outcrops at the east extremity of Pain Mesa. Named by the southern party of NZGSAE, 1966–67, because the party diverted eastward from their route here to visit Navigator Nunatak . 73°14′S 163°03′E  /  73.233°S 163.050°E  / -73.233; 163.050 . A pinnacle-type mountain 2,900 metres (9,500 ft) high which forms

588-464: The English scientific literature in the past. Mesas form by weathering and erosion of horizontally layered rocks that have been uplifted by tectonic activity. Variations in the ability of different types of rock to resist weathering and erosion cause the weaker types of rocks to be eroded away, leaving the more resistant types of rocks topographically higher than their surroundings. This process

630-539: The Mesa Range, between Pain Mesa on the north and Gair Mesa on the south. Named by the Northern Party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, for James Tobin, surveyor with this party. 73°13′S 162°40′E  /  73.217°S 162.667°E  / -73.217; 162.667 . A bold rock bluff that forms the northwest end of Tobin Mesa. The bluff exposes an easily accessible section of Jurassic basalt. The feature

672-524: The Northern Party of NZGSAE, 1962–63. 73°08′S 163°00′E  /  73.133°S 163.000°E  / -73.133; 163.000 . A large mesa just north of Tobin Mesa in the Mesa Range. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, for Kevin Pain, deputy leader of this party. 72°59′S 162°54′E  /  72.983°S 162.900°E  / -72.983; 162.900 . A prominent flat-topped summit, 2,605 metres (8,547 ft) high, in

714-606: The Northern Party of NZGSAE, 1966–67, who named it for the party's field assistant, Dave .W. Gobey. 73°15′S 164°13′E  /  73.250°S 164.217°E  / -73.250; 164.217 . A large nunatak in the middle of the head of Aviator Glacier. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, because it is a good landmark for navigation and the name is also in association with Aviator, Pilot, and Co-pilot Glaciers, nearby. 74°00′S 165°50′E  /  74.000°S 165.833°E  / -74.000; 165.833 . The seaward extension of Aviator Glacier into

756-545: The east side of Pain Mesa. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, from its resemblance to the square cap worn by Roman Catholic and some Anglican clerics. 73°06′S 163°12′E  /  73.100°S 163.200°E  / -73.100; 163.200 . An ice-filled valley indenting the east side of Pain Mesa between Biretta Peak and Diversion Hills. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960–64. Named by US-ACAN for Commander Norman J. Mills, United States Navy Reserve, officer in charge of

798-766: The east side of the middle reach of the Rennick Glacier , and the Sheehan Mesa is on the west side. The Monument Nunataks are to the northwest, the Freyberg Mountains to the north, Half-ration Névé and the larger Evans Névé to the northeast, the Southern Cross Mountains to the east, and the Deep Freeze Range to the south. Download coordinates as: 73°01′S 162°18′E  /  73.017°S 162.300°E  / -73.017; 162.300 . A prominent mesa standing 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) west-northwest of Pain Mesa in

840-492: The head of Aviator Glacier. It is largely enclosed on the west side by the Mesa Range . So named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, because its resupply was delayed several days by blizzards and the party was limited to reduced rations. 72°59′S 164°00′E  /  72.983°S 164.000°E  / -72.983; 164.000 . A small group of hills 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) southeast of

882-525: The highland escarpment. The relief of the mesas range from nearly 2 km (1.2 mi) to 100 m (330 ft) depending on the distance they are from the escarpment. Navigator Nunatak The Aviator Glacier ( 73°50′S 165°03′E  /  73.833°S 165.050°E  / -73.833; 165.050 ) is a major valley glacier in Antarctica that is over 60 nautical miles (110 km; 69 mi) long and 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) wide, descending generally southward from

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924-707: The latter just west of Parasite Cone . Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, in association with nearby Aeronaut Glacier. 73°11′S 164°22′E  /  73.183°S 164.367°E  / -73.183; 164.367 . A short, steep tributary glacier, flowing from the west and south slopes of Mount Overlord to the upper part of Aviator Glacier. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, in recognition of services rendered by pilots of United States Navy Squadron VX-6, and in association with nearby Pilot Glacier. 73°23′S 165°03′E  /  73.383°S 165.050°E  / -73.383; 165.050 . A short, deeply entrenched tributary glacier in

966-549: The narrow, northern part of Pain Mesa, situated 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi) east of Silva Ridge. Mapped by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960–64. Named by the United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Andrew J. Masley, ionospheric physics scientist at McMurdo Station, summer 1962–63. 73°04′S 163°12′E  /  73.067°S 163.200°E  / -73.067; 163.200 . A small peak 2,530 metres (8,300 ft) high on

1008-493: The north offered the better route from Rennick to Aviator Glacier. 73°32′S 162°43′E  /  73.533°S 162.717°E  / -73.533; 162.717 . A low hill at the southwest end of Gair Mesa. So named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, because the west side of the hill has a noteworthy exposure of light colored sandstone. 73°31′S 162°57′E  /  73.517°S 162.950°E  / -73.517; 162.950 . A bench-like elevation at

1050-439: The north side of Daley Hills to Aviator Glacier. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, in association with Cosmonaut and Aeronaut Glaciers and to commemorate the first woman astronaut. 73°47′S 164°45′E  /  73.783°S 164.750°E  / -73.783; 164.750 . A tributary glacier in the Southern Cross Mountains, flowing east along the south side of Daley Hills to Aviator Glacier. Mapped by

1092-472: The northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, for Harry Gair, geologist and leader of this party. 73°24′S 162°54′E  /  73.400°S 162.900°E  / -73.400; 162.900 . A gap between Tobin and Gair Mesas which provides access from upper Rennick Glacier to the Aeronaut Glacier . Named "Veto" by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, because it decided that Pinnacle Gap to

1134-415: The northwest part of Mesa Range. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, for Maurice Sheehan, field assistant with this party. 72°59′S 162°17′E  /  72.983°S 162.283°E  / -72.983; 162.283 . A ridge leading to the top of Sheehan Mesa, on the northeast side. Large silicified tree stumps in place of growth were found halfway up this ridge, hence named Silva by

1176-699: The overlying cliff layers, which collapse and retreat. When the caprock has caved away to the point where only little remains, it is known as a butte . Many but not all American mesas lie within the Basin and Range Province . A transitional zone on Mars , known as fretted terrain , lies between highly cratered highlands and less cratered lowlands. The younger lowland exhibits steep walled mesas and knobs . The mesa and knobs are separated by flat lying lowlands. They are thought to form from ice-facilitated mass wasting processes from ground or atmospheric sources. The mesas and knobs decrease in size with increasing distance from

1218-413: The plateau of Victoria Land along the west side of Mountaineer Range , and entering Lady Newnes Bay between Cape Sibbald and Hayes Head where it forms a floating tongue. The glacier was photographed from the air by Captain W.M. Hawkes, United States Navy , on the historic first flight from New Zealand to McMurdo Sound on December 17, 1955. An attempt to reconnoiter it by helicopter and to land

1260-422: The sides are broken into a staircase pattern called "cliff-and-bench topography". The more resistant layers form the cliffs, or stairsteps, while the less resistant layers form gentle slopes, or benches, between the cliffs. Cliffs retreat and are eventually cut off from the main cliff, or plateau , by basal sapping. When the cliff edge does not retreat uniformly but instead is indented by headward eroding streams,

1302-421: The south end of Pain Mesa and the north side of the entrance to Pinnacle Gap. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960–64. Named by US-ACAN for Commander Justin G. Ballou, United States Navy, officer in charge of the Detachment A winter party at McMurdo Station, 1966. 73°17′S 162°52′E  /  73.283°S 162.867°E  / -73.283; 162.867 . A large mesa in

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1344-492: The south margin of Evans Névé . So named by the Northern Party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, which had hoped to visit the hills, but was forced to beat a hasty retreat due to blizzards. 72°58′S 165°15′E  /  72.967°S 165.250°E  / -72.967; 165.250 . The highest mountain, 3,125 metres (10,253 ft) high, in the Retreat Hills, at the south margin of Evans Névé. Climbed on Dec. 26,1966 by

1386-460: The southeast end of Gair Mesa that overlooks the head of Campbell Glacier . Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, because of a dog fight here in which one dog was so badly torn that its wounds required sutures. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Geological Survey . Mesa As noted by geologist Kirk Bryan in 1922, mesas "...stand distinctly above

1428-436: The southeast side of Pinnacle Gap. So named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, because the feature provides a good "watchtower" to the entrance of Pinnacle Gap. 73°18′S 163°00′E  /  73.300°S 163.000°E  / -73.300; 163.000 . A bold rock spur 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) north of Scarab Peak, extending northeast from the east central part of Tobin Mesa. The feature

1470-690: The southeast end of Tobin Mesa. Named by the northern party of the NZGSAE, 1962–63, for its resemblance to a scarab beetle. 73°23′S 162°55′E  /  73.383°S 162.917°E  / -73.383; 162.917 . A large pyramidal shaped table mountain, 3,100 metres (10,200 ft) high, standing between Mount Fazio and Scarab Peak in the south part of Tobin Mesa. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, for its frustum -like shape. 73°23′S 162°48′E  /  73.383°S 162.800°E  / -73.383; 162.800 . An ice-free mountain, 2,670 metres (8,760 ft) high, marking

1512-399: The southwest end of Tobin Mesa. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960–64. Named by US-ACAN for William Z. Fazio, United States Navy, helicopter crewmember during United States Navy OpDFrz, 1966, 1967 and 1968. 73°28′S 162°52′E  /  73.467°S 162.867°E  / -73.467; 162.867 . The southernmost mesa of the Mesa Range. Named by

1554-417: The surface into valleys, where they collect water drainage from the surrounding area, while the more resistant layers are left standing out. A large area of very resistant rock, such as a sill, may shield the layers below it from erosion while the softer rock surrounding it is eroded into valleys, thus forming a caprock. Differences in rock type also reflect on the sides of a mesa, as instead of smooth slopes,

1596-474: The surrounding country, as a table stands above the floor upon which it rests". It is from this appearance that the term mesa was adopted from the Spanish word mesa , meaning "table". A mesa is similar to, but has a more extensive summit area than a butte . There is no agreed size limit that separates mesas from either buttes or plateaus. For example, the flat-topped mountains which are known as mesas in

1638-403: The upper part of Aviator Glacier near Navigator Nunatak. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, to commemorate the air support provided by United States Navy Squadron VX-6, and in association with Aviator Glacier. 73°26′S 164°30′E  /  73.433°S 164.500°E  / -73.433; 164.500 . A tributary glacier 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) long in

1680-510: The west side of Mountaineer Range . The head of the glacier is below Half-Ration Névé and the Forgotten Hills. The Astronaut glacier forms to the south of Evans Névé and to the west of Retreat Hills and Mount Gobey. It flows southwest to join the Aviator Glacier just west of Parasite Cone. The combined glacier flows past both sides of Navigator Nunatak. The Aeronaut Glacier forms below Gair Mesa and flows north east, then east to join

1722-403: Was geologically studied by an Ohio State University field party during the 1982–83 season. Named by US-ACAN after Marta A. Haban, a geologist in the party. 73°21′S 163°01′E  /  73.350°S 163.017°E  / -73.350; 163.017 . A prominent peak, 3,160 metres (10,370 ft) high, located 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) northeast of Mount Frustum in

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1764-570: Was studied by Ohio State University geological parties in 1981–82 and 1982–83. Named by US-ACAN after Mary A. Siders, geologist in those field parties. A gap between Pain and Tobin Mesas. The feature was traversed and so named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962-63, because it is readily identified by the high rock pinnacle (Mount Ballou) on the north ridge overlooking the gap. 73°16′S 163°08′E  /  73.267°S 163.133°E  / -73.267; 163.133 . A small, pointed hill at

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