Wikipedia
Two Top and Big Top Mesa
Two Top and Big Top Mesa are two adjacent mesas about one mile (1.6 km) apart in western North Dakota. They were declared National Natural Landmarks in 1965.[1] The tops of the mesas are rare examples of undisturbed grassland which have never been grazed or cultivated. They are located in or around the Little Missouri National Grasslands.
| Two Top and Big Top Mesa | |
|---|---|
Map of North Dakota | |
| Location | Billings County, North Dakota |
| Coordinates | 47°18′08″N 103°29′16″W / 47.30222°N 103.48778°W |
| Area | 14 acres (5.7 ha) |
| Designated | 1965 |
Geology Edit
Big Top mesa is approximately 12 acres (4.9 ha) while Two Top is around 2 acres (0.81 ha). They rise about 400 feet (120 m) above the badlands. They are made of sandstone, Morton silt loam and clay.[1][2]
References Edit
- ^ a b "National Natural Landmark designation". National Park Service. June 25, 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
- ^ Quinnild, Clayton L; Hugh E. Cosby (1958). "Relics of Climax Vegetation on Two Mesas in Western North Dakota". Ecology. Ecological Society of America. 39 (1): 29–32. doi:10.2307/1929963. JSTOR 1929963.
External links Edit
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Big Top Mesa