Abstract It is commonly assumed that geomorphic evolution of tablelands, where durable caprock overlies weaker formations, proceeds via escarpment retreat which leaves residual tabular hills (mesas) in front of the receding scarps. These in turn are reduced in extent towards buttes and then pinnacles in the final stage. In this paper we use empirical evidence from Elbsandsteingebirge sandstone tableland in east Germany to show that different pathways of mesa decay exist and that various scenarios are possible. Depending on mesa morphology and the degree of its dissection, penultimate stages may include classic buttes, series of small isolated crags, or rock labyrinths (rock cities) subject to slow lateral outward displacement. These may evolve into pinnacles or boulder scatters, no longer rooted in bedrock. The latter are the last remnants of no longer existing tabular hills. These different trajectories are mainly controlled by lithology and structure, including the thickness of caprock, the proportion of caprock versus subcaprock slope, the pattern of jointing, and the presence of weaker intercalations within stronger lithological units. Literature review shows that some of these pathways were hypothesized long ago but little empirical evidence was offered and multiple trajectories were apparently not considered.

中文翻译：

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台地残丘的晚期演化阶段（Elbsandsteingebirge，德国）

摘要 人们普遍认为，台地的地貌演化是通过陡峭的后退进行的，其中持久的盖层覆盖在较弱的地层上，在后退的陡坡前留下残留的板状山丘（台地）。在最后阶段，这些依次减少​​到小山和尖峰。在本文中，我们使用来自德国东部 Elbsandsteingebirge 砂岩台地的经验证据来表明存在不同的台面衰变途径，并且可能出现各种情况。根据台地形态及其解剖程度，倒数第二个阶段可能包括经典的孤峰、一系列孤立的小峭壁，或受到缓慢横向向外位移的岩石迷宫（岩石城市）。这些可能会演变成尖峰石阵或巨石散布，不再植根于基岩。后者是不再存在的板状山丘的最后遗迹。这些不同的轨迹主要受岩性和构造控制，包括盖层厚度、盖层与下盖层坡度的比例、节理模式以及在较强岩性单元内是否存在较弱的夹层。文献综述表明，其中一些途径很久以前就被假设，但提供的经验证据很少，而且显然没有考虑多条轨迹。