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Isostasy is a term used in Geology to refer to the state of gravitational equilibrium between the earth's lithosphere (its crust) and asthenosphere (the rock below the crust) such that the tectonic plates "float" at an elevation which depends on their thickness and density.
This happens because the Earth's continents are made of minerals that are less dense than those that are found deeper in the Earth's crust. The continents are therefore floating.
In the ice ages when the glaciers trapped large amounts of water on top of the continents, the continents became heavier and sank deeper into the asthenosphere below. (rather like pushing an floating ice cube down into a glass of cola).
At the end of the ice age when the glaciers melted and retreated the continents began to float back up to their original level.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoIsostasy is a term used in Geology to refer to the state of gravitational equilibrium between the Earth's lithosphere and asthenosphere such that the tectonic plates "float" at an elevation which depends on their thickness and density.
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What is the definition of Isostacy theory?
IS A CONDITION OF RELATIVE GRAVITational equilibrium between earths lithosphere and asthenosphere
How do isostatic adjustments affect isostacy?
As these isostatic adjustment occur, areas of the crust are bent up and down. This bending cause rock in that area to deform.
Do mountains keep the earth stable from shakes for example during earthquakes?
No ,mountains do not keep earth from shaking ,greatest earthquakes happen around the mountains like in Himalayas also mountains are created by the movement of the tectonic plates which create earthquakes.Just because the mountains are themselves stabilized by isostacy does not mean that the mountains stabilize the earth or the crust by isostacy. Prof David A Young.No self respecting geologists would claim that mountains keep earth from shaking.
Isostacy is the balance between what two forces?
Gravity and buoyancyWhat two forces are balanced when a system is in isostasy?Downward gravity and upward buoyancy
Is it true or false that the asthenosphere floats on the lithosphere?
Because of something called Isostacy-the gravitational equilibrium between lithosphere and asthenosphere, such that plates "float" at an elevation that dependes on the thickness and density. EX. Think floating ice cubes
What is isostacy and how does it explain why the earts land masses are not flat?
isostacy refers to equilibrium that exist between part of the crust.in geology the term is used to refer to gravitational equilibrium between lithosphere and asthenosphere. isostacy is explained by isostacy theory that state ;=total mass of the rock in any vertical column of unit cross-section is constant. Two hypothesis are used to explain the earth,that is -principle of mass compensation by J.H Pratt in 1854 -principle of depth compensation by G.B Airy in 1855.
What is the definition of Isostacy theory?
IS A CONDITION OF RELATIVE GRAVITational equilibrium between earths lithosphere and asthenosphere
The continents float in the upper mantle due to a form of buoyancy known as?
ISOSTACY, Now do your own Oceanography quiz.
What are the instruments used by the scientists to measure the isostacy on land?
High precision GPS, synthetic aperture radar (interferometry), and LIDAR.
Who is John Pratt?
A mathmatecian who achived many things. He devised a theory of crustal balance which would become the basis for the isostacy principal.
How do isostatic adjustments affect isostacy?
As these isostatic adjustment occur, areas of the crust are bent up and down. This bending cause rock in that area to deform.
Do mountains keep the earth stable from shakes for example during earthquakes?
No ,mountains do not keep earth from shaking ,greatest earthquakes happen around the mountains like in Himalayas also mountains are created by the movement of the tectonic plates which create earthquakes.Just because the mountains are themselves stabilized by isostacy does not mean that the mountains stabilize the earth or the crust by isostacy. Prof David A Young.No self respecting geologists would claim that mountains keep earth from shaking.
Isostacy is the balance between what two forces?
Gravity and buoyancyWhat two forces are balanced when a system is in isostasy?Downward gravity and upward buoyancy
Why does the continental crust go father down into the mantle than the oceanic crust?
Continental crust, on average, is much thicker than oceanic crust. Because of the principles of isostacy and buoyancy, the continental crust will protrude more deeply into the asthenosphere than oceanic crust.
How does isostasy impact the surface of the earth?
Isostacy refers to an equilibrium level maintained by the earths crust on top of the mantle. The theory holds that the weight of the earths crust will displace a certain amount of the underlying mantle, and that an equilibrium is reached whereby the mass of the displaced crust and the mass of the displaced mantle are equal, thus holding that part of the crust at a certain height.
What is the difference between Pratt's and Airy's hypothesis of isostasy?
Pratt's hypothesis of isostacy proposed that topography is produced by crustal blocks with varying density, that terminate at a uniform depth whereas Airy's hypothesis of isotacy, the mountain range can be thought of as a block of lithosphere (crust) floating in the asthenosphere (lava). Mountains have roots, while ocean basins have anti-roots. whereas
What are some eight letter words with 1st letter I and 4th letter S and 5th letter T and 6th letter A?
According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 3 words with the pattern I--STA--. That is, eight letter words with 1st letter I and 4th letter S and 5th letter T and 6th letter A. In alphabetical order, they are: inkstand isostacy isostasy
