Did you know the Ozarks are not actual mountains?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Northwest Arkansas, home to the Ozark Mountains, right? Wrong. The Ozarks are actually three tall and extensively eroded plateaus, according to the .

In fact, the National Park Service refers to the ranges as , not mountains. The distinction between mountains and plateaus lies in how they are formed. Plateaus come from , making flat or gently sloping surfaces, while mountains are formed by , creating higher elevations.

Compared to true mountain ranges like the Rockies or the Appalachians, the Ozarks have relatively modest elevations. The highest point in the Ozarks, Buffalo Lookout, reaches only about 2,561 feet above sea level, while the highest point in the Appalachian Mountains, Mount Marshall, reaches 6,684 feet, . The difference between the Ozarks and traditional mountains are so staggering that the Encyclopedia Britannica even defines the plateaus as a “ .

” Even though the Ozarks are not mountains, they can still be correctly referred to as “The Ozark Mountains” in most non-technical settings. The Ozarks may not be mountains, but its plateaus are home to several unique features that keep both native Arkansans and tourists coming back for more. The three main plateaus of the Ozarks are the Boston Plateau, the Springfield Plateau and the Salem Plateau.

The highest of the Ozarks, the , reaches up to 2,600 feet and is known for its rugged terrain. It extends across the southernmost Ozarks and features sandstone and shale, according.