The relief is the difference between the maximum and minimum elevations in an area. The study of landforms and landscape evolution is called geomorphology . The shapes of various landforms are the result of tectonic uplift and differential erosion of various rock types. A mountain is a large mass of rock that projects above surrounding terrain.
Mountains usually occur in ranges , commonly linear areas of uplift scupted by erosion.
A plateau is a broad area of uplift with relatively little internal relief. A mesa is a small plateau bounded by cliffs, commonly in an area of flat-lying sedimentary rocks. A cuesta is an asymmetric ridge in dipping sedimentary rocks as the Flat-irons. A hogback is ridge formed by near-vertical, resistant sedimentary rock. Badlands are areas of deeply gullied topography unsuitable for agriculture.