<p>A clue is in the full name of the hill: 'Butte Montmartre'. A butte is an erosional feature in which a block of resistant rock overlies a less resistant layer. Erosion of the soft layer below causes the more resistant rock to erode as well by undercutting. This can lead to an isolated hill in a relatively flat surrounding.</p>

<p>The Montmartre hill itself consists of relatively resistant sedimentary rocks (can't find what exactly, although Deffontaines (2005) and De Wever (2002) hint at sandstones and shales) overlying soft marls and gypsum, which was mined until 1860, also contributing to instability of the butte (Deffontaines, 2005). Evaporite-diapirism, as mentioned by Spießbürger, might therefore have played a role as well.</p>

<p>Deffontaines, B., B. Fruneau, A. Prunier-Leparmentier, A. Arnaud, R. Cojean, E. Pajot, J. Rudant (2005) <a href="http://www.geotech-fr.org/sites/default/files/congres/geoline/GEOLINE2005%20S4%20pp%201-7%20Deffontaines.pdf"><em>Urban instability revealed by DINSAR and SPN Interferometry: The Montmartre "Funiculaire" case example (Paris, France)</em></a>. Géoline 2005<br>
De Wever, P., F. Guillocheau, J. Reynaud, E. Vennin, C. Robin, A. Cornée, D. Rouby (2002) <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1631-0683%2802%2900071-4"><em>Deux siècles de stratigraphie dans le bassin de Paris</em></a>. Comptes Rendus Palevol</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-17T02:31:53.257Z
It would be good to to link the sources from the actual statements in your answer, or at least indicate what they are - "(source)" doesn't give any information.
naught101
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-17T05:55:52.107Z
@naught101 I expanded one reference and replaced the other with a more credible source.
hugovdberg
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-17T17:58:21.677Z
And "martre" means "martyr".
Quidam
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-16T22:02:40.967Z
2014-04-17T05:53:56.127Z
2014-04-17T05:53:56.127Z
hugovdberg
<p>I have always wondered what is the origin of Montmartre mountain in Paris. What surprises me is that the whole area seems quite flat, and yet there's a very steep hill in the middle. How has that happen? Is it an instance of some common geological phenomenon?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-16T15:12:49.287Z
Might be uplifted due to evaporite-diapirism; water reacting with anhydrite to form gypsum (volume expansion). Only thing I could find is: http://earth.esa.int/workshops/salzburg04/papers_posters/3B1_deffont_561r.pdf
tobias47n9e
<geology><mountains><geomorphology>
What is the origin of the Montmartre mountain in Paris?
yo'
# What is the origin of the Montmartre mountain in Paris?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-04-16)

I have always wondered what is the origin of Montmartre mountain in Paris. What surprises me is that the whole area seems quite flat, and yet there's a very steep hill in the middle. How has that happen? Is it an instance of some common geological phenomenon?

**Tags:** geology, mountains, geomorphology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Might be uplifted due to evaporite-diapirism; water reacting with anhydrite to form gypsum (volume expansion). Only thing I could find is: http://earth.esa.int/workshops/salzburg04/papers_posters/3B1_deffont_561r.pdf  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-04-16. Score: 16 | Accepted answer

A clue is in the full name of the hill: 'Butte Montmartre'. A butte is an erosional feature in which a block of resistant rock overlies a less resistant layer. Erosion of the soft layer below causes the more resistant rock to erode as well by undercutting. This can lead to an isolated hill in a relatively flat surrounding.

The Montmartre hill itself consists of relatively resistant sedimentary rocks (can't find what exactly, although Deffontaines (2005) and De Wever (2002) hint at sandstones and shales) overlying soft marls and gypsum, which was mined until 1860, also contributing to instability of the butte (Deffontaines, 2005). Evaporite-diapirism, as mentioned by Spießbürger, might therefore have played a role as well.

Deffontaines, B., B. Fruneau, A. Prunier-Leparmentier, A. Arnaud, R. Cojean, E. Pajot, J. Rudant (2005) [*Urban instability revealed by DINSAR and SPN Interferometry: The Montmartre "Funiculaire" case example (Paris, France)*](http://www.geotech-fr.org/sites/default/files/congres/geoline/GEOLINE2005%20S4%20pp%201-7%20Deffontaines.pdf). Géoline 2005  
De Wever, P., F. Guillocheau, J. Reynaud, E. Vennin, C. Robin, A. Cornée, D. Rouby (2002) [*Deux siècles de stratigraphie dans le bassin de Paris*](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1631-0683%2802%2900071-4). Comptes Rendus Palevol

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: It would be good to to link the sources from the actual statements in your answer, or at least indicate what they are - "(source)" doesn't give any information.  
> **username_2**: @username_3 I expanded one reference and replaced the other with a more credible source.  
> **username_4**: And "martre" means "martyr".  

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