Definitions for "Isostasy"
Related Terms:
Asthenosphere, Tectonic, Isostatic rebound, Plate tectonics, Isostacy, Geosphere, Mantle plume, Lithosphere, Plate, Plates, Tectonic plate, Tectonic plates, Earthquake, Uplift, Oceanic crust, Continental crust, Hotspot, Crust, Tectonics, Moho , Mohorovicic discontinuity, Subduction, Microseism, Mantle, Epicenter, Upthrust, Benioff zone, Nappe, Thrust , Geophysicist, Seismic, Seismic moment, Seismic wave, Rifting, Slide, Seismologist, Fault, Thrust fault, Subduction zone, Seismology, Geophysics, Rift, Body wave, Continental drift, Faulting, Orogeny, Deformation, Seafloor spreading, Subaërial
The state or quality of being isostatic.
general equilibrium in the earth's crust, supposed to be maintained by the yielding or flow of rock material beneath the surface under gravitative stress. By the theory of isostasy each unit column of the earth, from surface to center, has approximately the same weight, and the continents stand higher than the ocean beds chiefly because the material of the crust has there less density.
The condition that exists when the buoyancy force pushing lithosphere up equals the gravitational force pulling lithosphere down.
Process of vertical adjustments of anomalous mass to balance the upward floating and the gravitational downward force. A good example is an iceberg, floating in water.
A condition of gravitational balance (similar to floating) in which a mass of lighter crustal rocks are buoyantly supported from below by denser mantle rocks. The crustal rocks above subside into the mantle until they have displaced an adequate amount of mantle material to support them.
A state of equilibrium, resembling flotation, in which segments of Earth's crust float (on liquid mantle material) at levels determined by their thickness and density. Isostatic equilibrium is attained by flow of material in the mantle.
The tendency of the Earth's crust to maintain a state of near equilibrium, i.e., if anything occurs to modify the existing state, a compensation change will occur to maintain a balance.
ISOSTATIC REBOUND Land areas rebounding, or returning to equilibrium, from a period of depression due to an overriding mass of glacial ice, as during the last ice age. Isostatic rebound in southeast Alaska has been found to be anywhere from a few meters to a hundred meters, depending largely on the degree of glaciation at a particular location.
the condition of equilibrium whereby areas of rigid lithosphere tend to 'float' in the plastically-deforming weak asthenosphere.
(Greek: iso-, "same") Isostasy is the concept that the elevation of the Earth's surface (over tens of millions of years) seeks a balance between the weight of lithospheric rocks and the buoyancy of asthenospheric "fluid" (nearly-molten rock). Gentle regional movement of the lithosphere occurs in response to short-term (thousands to millions of years) loading and unloading, as by ice, erosion and sediment deposition.
The condition of equilibrium, comparable to floating, of the units of the lithosphere (crust) above the athenoshpere.
The way in which the lithosphere 'floats' on the asthenosphere.
The equilibrium maintained between the gravity tending to depress and the buoyancy tending to raise a given segment of the lithosphere as it floats above the asthenosphere.
Greek izosz "same", sztatisz "standing" Theory relating to hydrostatical balanced status of the earth's crust (theory of natation).
Isostasy 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. It is invoked to explain how different topographic heights can exist at the Earth's surface. When a certain area of lithosphere reaches the state of isostasy, it is said to be in isostatic equilibrium.