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The Mittens and Merrick Butte in Monument Valley, Utah–Arizona

In geomorphology, a butte (/bjuːt/ BEWT) is an isolated hill with steep, often vertical sides and a small, relatively flat top; buttes are smaller landforms than mesas, plateaus, and tablelands. The word butte comes from the French word butte (French: [byt]), meaning 'knoll' (of any size); its use is prevalent in the Western United States, including the Southwest, where mesa (Spanish for 'table') is used for the larger landform.

Due to their distinctive shapes, buttes are frequently landmarks in plains and mountainous areas.[1] To differentiate the two landforms, geographers use the rule of thumb that a mesa has a top that is wider than its height, while a butte has a top that is narrower than its height.[2][3]

Formation

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Buttes form by weathering and erosion when hard caprock overlies a layer of less resistant rock that is eventually worn away. The harder rock on top of the butte resists erosion. The caprock provides protection for the less resistant rock below from wind abrasion which leaves it standing isolated. As the top is further eroded by abrasion and weathering, the excess material that falls off adds to the scree or talus slope around the base.[4] On a much smaller scale, the same process forms hoodoos.[5]

Notable buttes

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The Mitten Buttes of Monument Valley in the Utah–Arizona state line are two of the most distinctive and widely recognized buttes. Monument Valley and the Mittens provided backgrounds in the scenes of many western-themed films, including seven movies directed by John Ford.[note 1] Another very well-known and frequently photographed butte in northern Arizona is Thumb Butte, which overlooks the city of Prescott and is the most prominent and distinctive geologic landmark in the vicinity. The Devils Tower in northeastern Wyoming is a laccolithic butte composed of igneous rock rather than sandstone, limestone or other sedimentary rocks.[6]

Devils Tower in Wyoming

The term butte is sometimes applied more broadly to isolated, steep-sided hills with pointed or craggy, rather than flat, tops.[1] Three notable formations that are either named butte or may be considered buttes even though they do not conform to the formal geographer's rule are Scotts Bluff in Nebraska which is a collection of five bluffs, Crested Butte, which is a 12,168 ft (3,709 m) mountain in Colorado, and Elephant Butte, which is now an island in Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico.

Among the well-known non-flat-topped buttes in the United States are Bear Butte, South Dakota, Black Butte, Oregon, and the Sutter Buttes in California. In many cases, buttes have been given other names that do not use the word butte, for example, Courthouse Rock, Nebraska. Also, some large hills that are technically not buttes have names using the word, examples of which are Kamiak Butte, Chelan Butte and Steptoe Butte in Washington state.

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See also

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  • Caprock Escarpment – Geographical transition in Texas and New Mexico
  • Megalith – Large stone used to build a structure or monument
  • Monadnock – Isolated, steep rock hill on relatively flat terrain
  • Monolith – Stone block made of one single piece; object made of one single rock piece
  • Potrero – Long mesa that at one end slopes upward to higher terrain
  • Table mountain (disambiguation)
  • Tepui – Table-top mountain or mesa in the Guiana Highlands of South America
  • Tuya – Flat-topped, steep-sided volcano formed when lava erupts through a thick glacier or ice sheet
  • Volcanic plug – Volcanic object created when magma hardens within a vent on an active volcano

Footnotes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Butte

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from Grokipedia
In geomorphology, a butte (/bjuːt/ BEWT) is an isolated hill with steep, often vertical sides and a small, relatively flat top; buttes are smaller landforms than mesas, with widths typically under 3 kilometers (1.9 mi). They form through differential erosion in arid or semi-arid regions, where resistant caprock, such as sandstone or lava flows, protects underlying softer sedimentary layers from weathering, while surrounding material erodes away over millions of years. Buttes are most common in the , particularly on the in areas like southern and , but examples exist worldwide, including volcanic buttes in California's Sutter Butts and monadnocks in other eroded landscapes. Notable U.S. examples include the in and Church Rock in . Internationally, they appear in regions like the and Australian outback. These landforms often hold cultural significance for and attract tourists for their dramatic scenery.

Definition and Characteristics

Definition

A butte is an isolated hill with steep, often vertical sides and a small, relatively flat top, typically resulting from the process of . These landforms are prominent in arid and semi-arid regions where differential exposes resistant rock layers. The term "butte" derives from the French word meaning a mound or hillock, originating from "but" for a or target, and was introduced into English through usage in the early . In geological contexts, it specifically denotes these isolated elevations, distinguishing them from broader features. Buttes are generally smaller than mesas, featuring summit areas that are comparatively limited in extent, and they are characteristically taller than they are wide. This proportional distinction highlights their role as more diminutive erosional remnants compared to larger flat-topped formations.

Physical Features

Buttes are characterized by their distinctive isolated, flat-topped structure rising prominently above surrounding terrain, often recognized as a type of hill with a area narrower than its height. Their sides typically form steep, near-vertical cliffs due to the exposure of resistant rock layers that erode more slowly than adjacent materials, creating dramatic escarpments. These cliffs can reach heights ranging from tens to hundreds of meters, as seen in examples like the 73-meter rise of buttes in the or the over 600-meter elevations of volcanic formations such as the . The flat top of a butte, known as the , consists of erosion-resistant materials that shield underlying softer sediments from further degradation, preserving the level summit. Common caprock compositions include or in sedimentary environments and lava flows in volcanic settings, which contribute to the butte's stability and visual prominence. Beneath this protective layer lie more erodible rocks such as or clay, which accentuate the steep profile by wearing away preferentially. Buttes exhibit variations in form and arrangement, appearing as solitary features or in clusters, such as the grouped towers in arid southwestern landscapes. In some dry environments, prolonged exposure can sculpt them into columnar or pillar-like shapes, resembling slender spires that further highlight their isolated nature. These morphological traits, driven by differential rock resistance, distinguish buttes from broader landforms like mesas.

Geological Formation

Erosional Processes

Buttes primarily form through differential erosion, a in which softer underlying rock layers erode more rapidly than the resistant caprock atop them, gradually isolating elevated remnants from the surrounding plains. This selective wearing away creates the characteristic steep sides and flat tops of buttes, as the harder caprock shields the softer materials beneath from further degradation until the protective layer is breached. In regions like the , this mechanism operates on flat-lying sedimentary strata uplifted over geological time, resulting in the progressive sculpting of isolated hills. The primary agents driving butte formation are , , and freeze-thaw cycles, which are especially effective in semi-arid to arid climates where is sparse and exposes rock surfaces to unrelenting physical forces. , often in the form of flash floods and episodic stream incision, cuts channels and removes from weaker layers, while abrasion polishes and erodes exposed faces; freeze-thaw action further contributes by expanding in rock cracks during temperature fluctuations. These processes dominate in environments such as the , where low limits chemical but amplifies mechanical breakdown. Butte development unfolds over millions of years, typically accelerating after tectonic uplift events that expose rock layers to surface , as seen in the where uplift began around 70 million years ago and intensified in the epoch about 10 million years ago. The evolutionary sequence progresses from broad plateaus, which represent the initial uplifted surfaces, to mesas as peripheral isolates larger flat-topped remnants, and finally to buttes when continued dissection reduces these to narrow, steep-sided pillars. This staged transformation reflects the ongoing balance between uplift and , with buttes representing advanced stages of landscape maturity in erosional terrains.

Caprock and Underlying Layers

The of a butte is composed of hard, erosion-resistant rock layers that shield the underlying softer sediments from rapid and erosion, thereby preserving the flat-topped structure of the . These layers, often formed from durable materials like or conglomerate, cap the butte and contrast sharply with the more vulnerable strata beneath, which erode at faster rates to create the characteristic steep sides. In the American Southwest, a prominent example of is the , a silica-rich, -dominated formation that forms the resistant tops of many buttes, such as those in . Deposited during the as vast wind-blown sand dunes in an ancient environment, this cross-bedded sandstone owes its durability to well-cemented grains and , allowing it to withstand prolonged exposure while protecting lower layers. The underlying layers of buttes typically consist of alternating beds of softer, more erodible rocks, including , , and weakly cemented , which preferentially erode to isolate the . For instance, in , buttes feature underlying sequences like the Organ Rock Tongue (red sandy and ) and (chocolate-brown sandy ), derived from continental and fluvial deposits of Permian and age. These sedimentary sequences often originate from ancient eolian environments, as seen in the , or from marginal marine settings in older strata like the Pennsylvanian Hermosa Formation's fossiliferous limestones, reflecting deposition in shallow seas. In volcanic regions, butte caprocks can instead form from solidified lava flows, such as basaltic layers that flowed into ancient valleys and now protect underlying softer through their greater resistance to . Examples include the basaltic caps on Red Butte in , where these to flows have inverted the by preserving elevated remnants amid surrounding .

Mesas and Plateaus

Mesas are larger flat-topped landforms than buttes, typically featuring broader summits that can extend over several square kilometers, and they represent an intermediate stage in the erosional evolution of elevated terrains. Unlike buttes, which are more isolated and diminutive, mesas often retain connections to surrounding elevated areas and have at least one steep side, with their flat tops protected by resistant caprock layers such as or . This caprock resists , preserving the mesa's structure while softer underlying layers erode more readily, leading to the characteristic table-like appearance. Plateaus, in contrast, are vast elevated flatlands with gentle slopes and minimal , serving as the initial precursors to both mesas and buttes through widespread tectonic uplift followed by early stages of . These expansive features, often spanning hundreds of square kilometers, form in regions of horizontal sedimentary strata where uplift exposes the land to erosional agents like , , and , gradually carving out steeper margins. Like mesas and buttes, plateaus are capped by durable rock layers that slow overall degradation, but their larger scale and lower degree of isolation distinguish them from the more fragmented forms that develop later. All three landforms—buttes, mesas, and plateaus—share the key trait of protection, which creates differential rates between the resistant summit and the erodible base, but they differ markedly in size and the extent of isolation resulting from prolonged . The evolutionary progression typically follows a sequence where a plateau undergoes initial dissection to form mesas, which further erode into isolated buttes as surrounding material is stripped away by fluvial and in arid environments. This continuum highlights how continued refines larger structures into smaller, more prominent remnants over geological timescales.

Other Isolated Hills

Inselbergs represent isolated, dome-shaped hills that emerge as erosional remnants through prolonged deep chemical , particularly in humid tropical climates where soluble minerals are leached away, leaving a core of resistant crystalline rock such as exposed upon subsequent of the overlying . Unlike buttes, which feature flat summits preserved by horizontal layers, inselbergs typically exhibit rounded or convex profiles without flat tops, resulting from the uniform of massive, non-stratified rock bodies. This process often occurs over millions of years in regions like the humid , where high rainfall facilitates intense subsurface before arid exposure reveals the . Monadnocks, closely related to inselbergs but more commonly associated with temperate humid environments, are erosion-resistant hills that persist as isolated features within broadly dissected landscapes where surrounding softer materials have been removed by fluvial and glacial action. These landforms, often composed of hard igneous or metamorphic rocks, develop rounded contours and lack the steep, near-vertical cliffs and flat summits seen in buttes, as their formation emphasizes prolonged surface and near-surface erosion rather than protection by differential layering. Named after in , they stand as relicts from ancient peneplains, gradually isolated as base levels lower through ongoing dissection. The primary geomorphic distinction between buttes and these other isolated hills lies in the underlying processes: buttes arise from differential mechanical of horizontally bedded sedimentary sequences, where a resistant shields underlying softer layers to maintain a flat top and steep sides, whereas inselbergs and monadnocks form via more uniform chemical and broad-scale of homogeneous, resistant rock masses in non-layered settings. This contrast highlights buttes' dependence on stratified versus the weathering-dominated evolution of inselbergs and monadnocks, which do not require lithologic layering for their isolation. For instance, (Ayers Rock) in exemplifies an , consisting of a massive, tilted body—formed from ancient marine deposits and exposed through regional uplift and —lacking the stratified, flat-topped structure of a butte.

Global Distribution

North America

Buttes are prominent landforms across , with significant concentrations in the of the U.S. Southwest, the badlands of the , and the . These regions represent the primary areas where buttes dominate the landscape, shaped by distinct geological processes that highlight the continent's varied tectonic and erosional history. In the , buttes emerge from extensive exposures of layered sedimentary rocks, while in the Great Plains badlands, they arise from softer, differentially eroding strata, and along the , they manifest as volcanic domes rising above basaltic plains. Geologically, buttes in the Southwest, particularly the , are primarily composed of Mesozoic-era sedimentary rocks, including sandstones and shales deposited in ancient marine and terrestrial environments, which have been uplifted and subsequently isolated by . These formations date back to periods like the and , with resistant layers such as capping many buttes. In contrast, the badlands of the feature buttes formed from Cenozoic sedimentary sequences of the White River Group, consisting of Eocene to sandstones, siltstones, and beds that erode rapidly due to their fine-grained nature, leaving behind steep-sided remnants capped by harder limestones or sandstones. Further west, the hosts volcanic buttes resulting from Cenozoic volcanism associated with the , where rhyolitic domes and cones, such as those formed 300,000 to 600,000 years ago, protrude from Miocene basaltic lava flows. High densities of buttes occur in clustered formations, notably within on the , where dozens of isolated sandstone buttes rise amid expansive valleys, and in on the , where has produced intricate networks of buttes, pinnacles, and hoodoos across thousands of acres. These concentrations reflect localized structural controls, such as anticlines or resistant rock layers, that promote the isolation of multiple buttes in proximity. The arid prevalent in the U.S. West enhances the long-term preservation of these features by promoting sparse vegetation cover, which allows episodic flash flooding and wind to preferentially wear away softer underlying layers while the durable caprocks shield the summits, maintaining the distinctive flat-topped profiles over millennia.

Other Regions

Buttes in are prominent in arid inland regions, particularly within sedimentary basins where differential exposes resistant layers. In , such as near Chambers Pillar in the , sandstones form isolated buttes rising up to 50 meters above surrounding plains, shaped by long-term fluvial and aeolian of softer underlying deposits. Similarly, in the Pedirka Basin of the and , Permian sandstones of the Crown Point Formation cap buttes and mesas, preserving ancient depositional environments amid ongoing desert weathering. These formations highlight 's arid to subtropical weathering regimes, where intense seasonal rainfall and chemical breakdown accelerate the isolation of harder caps from friable bases. In Africa, table-like buttes emerge in hyper-arid desert settings, primarily through wind-driven erosion that sculpts sedimentary rock into steep-sided, flat-topped remnants. Along the margins of the Sahara in northern Egypt's Gebel Qatrani area, Eocene sandstones form buttes rich in calcite-cemented concretions, standing as isolated features up to several tens of meters high after deflation removes finer particles. These structures, often associated with ichnofossils and paleosols, exemplify yardang-like progression where initial plateau erosion yields broader mesas before narrowing to buttes under prevailing northerly winds. Wind abrasion dominates here, contrasting with sporadic flash floods that further undercut bases, resulting in overhanging caps and mushroom-shaped profiles. Buttes across and display varied origins tied to tectonic and climatic histories. In 's of southern , Upper sedimentary sequences of the Djadokhta and Nemegt Formations outcrop as low buttes and rounded hills, formed by erosion of eolian and fluvial sands that once blanketed vast inland basins. These features, typically 10–50 meters high, preserve dinosaur-bearing layers and result from differential of cross-bedded resistant to the region's extreme and occasional storms. In , volcanic buttes prevail in Iceland's neovolcanic zones, where subglacial eruptions during Pleistocene glaciations produced flat-topped tuyas—steep-sided mounds of basaltic and pillow lavas emerging through ice sheets up to 1 km thick. Examples like reach 1,682 meters, their table-like summits formed as froze against glacial confines before post-glacial melting exposed the structures. Unique factors include chemical in Australia's arid interiors, which dissolves soluble minerals to isolate buttes, versus glacial influences in , where ice loading and meltwater enhanced volcanic edifice preservation while abrading softer surroundings.

Notable Examples

Iconic Buttes in the United States

One of the most iconic clusters of buttes in the United States is found in , straddling the Arizona-Utah border within the . The , named for their mitten-like shapes, rise dramatically from the desert floor, reaching heights of approximately 300 meters above the surrounding valley. These formations are primarily composed of , a Jurassic-era rock layer deposited around 190 million years ago as vast wind-blown dunes in an ancient erg or sand sea. The resistant sandstone cap protects underlying softer layers, allowing differential erosion to sculpt these isolated pillars over millions of years. Their striking red hues result from staining, enhanced by weathering. These buttes have become visual symbols of the American Southwest, frequently appearing in media such as John Ford's Western films like (1939) and later works including (1994), cementing their cultural prominence. Merrick Butte, located nearby in , exemplifies similar geological processes, standing at about 300 meters in prominence with a summit elevation of 1,892 meters. Formed from the same sequence dating to approximately 200 million years ago, it features a flat-topped profile that highlights the erosional resistance of the sandstone atop weaker and layers. Its isolated position and layered striations make it a quintessential example of butte morphology in the . In South Dakota's , buttes emerge as isolated erosional remnants amid a stark landscape of layered sedimentary rocks. These formations, often no more than 100 meters tall, are carved from alternating bands of , , and deposited during the to epochs, spanning about 75 to 30 million years ago. The dominant shales, such as those in the Pierre Shale and White River Group, erode rapidly due to their fine-grained, soft composition, leaving behind steeper buttes protected by harder caps. This ongoing exposes colorful strata rich in fossils, creating a rugged tableau of spires and pinnacles that contrasts with the smoother surrounding plains. The in California's represent a distinct volcanic origin among U.S. buttes, forming as eroded remnants of a single ancient . This cluster rises up to 600 meters above the valley floor, with the highest peak, South Butte, at 646 meters elevation. Eruptions occurred around 1.6 to 1.4 million years ago during the , extruding rhyolite, , and lavas and tuffs through overlying sediments. Unlike sedimentary buttes, their steep, conical profiles result from volcanic intrusion and subsequent erosion by regional rivers, isolating the central core as a prominent, circular range amid flat farmlands.

International Buttes

Outside the , buttes exhibit diverse geological origins and morphologies, often resulting from prolonged in arid or tropical environments, contributing to the global pattern of isolated hills in ancient cratons and sedimentary basins. In , the tepuis represent some of the most dramatic table-top buttes, formed as erosional remnants of the Formation, consisting of that dates back over 2 billion years. , one of the largest and most prominent, rises to a of 2,450 meters above sea level and features sheer cliffs that isolate its summit plateau, fostering unique ecosystems with high levels of due to separation from surrounding lowlands for tens of millions of years since the period. These ancient structures, sculpted by differential where harder layers resist , support specialized and adapted to nutrient-poor, high-altitude conditions, including carnivorous plants and relict species unchanged for millennia. In , the within showcases beehive-shaped buttes formed from Devonian-era deposits, approximately 350 million years old, that were laid down in ancient river and coastal environments. Over the past 20 million years, episodic by , , and chemical processes has eroded these layers into striped domes up to 250 meters tall, with alternating orange bands and darker cyanobacterial crusts that enhance their distinctive appearance and protect against further . The range's karst-like pinnacles and narrow gorges highlight the role of permeable in creating these isolated, sculptural landforms amid the Kimberley region's semi-arid landscape. Africa's in exemplifies a granitic butte, emerging as an intrusive from the period around 130 million years ago, when mantle-derived magma pierced the continental crust during the breakup of . This dome-shaped feature, reaching 2,573 meters at its Königstein peak and rising over 2,000 meters above the surrounding plains, has been shaped by extensive erosion that stripped away softer overlying sediments, leaving a rugged core with localized resistant outcrops that form protective caps against further degradation. The mountain's isolation and aridity have preserved its geological integrity, making it a key example of igneous buttes in desert settings.

Human and Ecological Aspects

Cultural and Historical Significance

Buttes have held profound cultural and spiritual importance for , serving as sacred sites integral to their cosmologies and traditions. In , the towering sandstone buttes are revered by the as holy places embodying ancestral stories and spiritual power, with formations like the representing legendary figures from oral histories. Similarly, in Australia's , the Bungle Bungle Range's beehive-shaped sandstone domes feature prominently in Gija Aboriginal stories, such as the creation narrative Jirraginy joo Goorrarndal, which describes the landscape's formation through ancestral beings and has been passed down for tens of thousands of years. Historically, buttes provided natural defensive advantages due to their elevated, isolated positions, which Native American groups utilized during conflicts. For instance, tribes in the American Southwest and leveraged buttes like Pima Butte in for strategic vantage points in intertribal warfare, as seen in the 1857 Battle of Pima Butte where Yuma, Mojave, , and warriors engaged in combat atop the formation. In regions like the , similar landforms were occupied as refuges by early indigenous residents to deter attackers. Beyond defense, buttes supported practical outposts; the city of —named for a prominent hill—emerged as a key 19th-century copper mining hub, producing over 25% of the world's supply by 1900 and earning the moniker "The Richest Hill on Earth." In modern times, buttes have become iconic in , particularly as cinematic backdrops that evoke . Monument Valley's dramatic buttes served as a primary filming location for John Ford's 1939 film , the first major Hollywood production shot there, which popularized the landscape and influenced subsequent Westerns like (1956). This exposure has driven substantial , with over 400,000 visitors annually to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, generating vital economic benefits for the community. Likewise, Purnululu National Park attracts around 30,000 tourists each year as of 2023 to explore the , blending cultural tours with natural appreciation. Buttes symbolize the untamed frontier in 19th-century Western art and literature, representing isolation, resilience, and the sublime beauty of the American landscape. Artists like George Catlin depicted buttes such as the Square Buttes in early sketches from 1832, capturing their dramatic forms as emblems of exploration and manifest destiny in paintings that romanticized westward expansion. In literature, these landforms appear in works evoking the vast, unforgiving plains, underscoring themes of freedom and human struggle against nature, as in narratives of the Great Plains that shaped the mythic Western genre.

Ecological Role and Conservation

Buttes, with their steep, isolated slopes and flat summits, create distinct microclimates that support unique , often fostering endemic plant species adapted to harsh, exposed conditions. In the , such as on desert buttes, these environments harbor specialized including like the kingcup cactus (), which thrives in rocky crevices protected from extreme winds and temperatures. Similarly, on the tabletop mountains known as tepuis in , the vertical cliffs generate cooler, wetter summits that sustain over 100 species, many endemic, such as Epidendrum katarun-yariku and Prosthechea jauana, which have evolved in isolation from lowland ecosystems. These microhabitats enhance overall regional by providing refugia for drought-resistant or shade-tolerant plants not found in surrounding plains. The fauna of buttes benefits from the structural complexity of their rugged surfaces, offering nesting sites and shelter that promote ecological niches and, in some cases, . Birds of prey, including the prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus), frequently nest in potholes, ledges, and crevices on buttes and cliffs, using these elevated perches for hunting small mammals and birds across open landscapes. Small mammals, such as rock squirrels or pocket gophers, inhabit the base crevices and talus slopes, where the isolation of buttes limits gene flow and can drive evolutionary divergence, as observed in vertebrates where summit populations show low genetic diversity due to prolonged separation. This isolation has led to speciation events in groups like treefrogs (Tepuihyla), highlighting buttes' role as "sky islands" that contribute to broader phylogenetic diversity. Buttes face significant threats that undermine their ecological integrity, primarily accelerated erosion from climate change-induced weather extremes, which erodes caprocks and exposes softer underlying layers more rapidly. Human activities exacerbate these issues: tourism foot traffic compacts soils and disturbs vegetation on slopes, while off-road vehicles cause soil compaction, rutting, and increased sediment runoff, damaging fragile habitats on arid buttes. These pressures reduce habitat availability for endemic species and disrupt microclimates, with studies showing widespread vegetation loss in similar sensitive landforms. Conservation efforts for buttes emphasize protection within protected areas and active restoration to preserve their . In the United States, safeguards buttes and related formations through monitoring of landscape dynamics and control, maintaining habitats for raptors and desert flora. Internationally, in , a , protects over 600 plant species, including unique ones in the , via regulated access and ecosystem management under the Environment Protection and Conservation Act. Restoration projects since the 1990s, such as those by the Sutter Buttes Regional , focus on acquiring and rehabilitating contiguous habitats to support and mitigate through native revegetation.

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  57. https://fiveable.me/american-literature-since-1860/unit-3/western-american-literature/study-guide/v0I8LOd3URFvVI0Q
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