isostasy
Use Isostasy in a sentence
tə noun
1.
Geology. the equilibrium of the earth's crust, a condition in which the forces tending to elevate balance those tending to depress.
2.
the state in which pressures from every side are equal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To isostasy
Collins
World English Dictionary
isostasy (aɪˈsɒstəsɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| the state of balance, or equilibrium, which sections of the earth's lithosphere (whether continental or oceanic) are thought ultimately to achieve when the vertical forces upon them remain unchanged. The lithosphere floats upon the semifluid asthenosphere below. If a section of lithosphere is loaded, as by ice, it will slowly subside to a new equilibrium position; if a section of lithosphere is reduced in mass, as by erosion, it will slowly rise to a new equilibrium position | |
| [C19: | |
| isostatic | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Isostasy
is always a great word to know.
So is infiltration. Does it mean:
| seepage of water into soil or rock |
| portion of the earth's surface consisting of disintegrated rock and humus |
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
| isostasy (ī-sŏs'tə-sē) Pronunciation Key
Equilibrium in the Earth's crust, in which an elevated part in one area is counterbalanced by a depressed part in another. Isostasy exists because the Earth's crust is relatively light compared to the denser mantle over which it lies, and therefore behaves as if it is floating. Areas of the Earth's crust rise or subside to accommodate added load (as from a glacier) or diminished load (as from erosion), so that the forces that elevate landmasses balance the forces that depress them. isostatic adjective (ī'sō-stāt'ĭk) |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
The basic geologic drivers of deep subsidence are compaction, faulting, and isostasy.
However, incorporating flexural isostasy and thermal subsidence requires physical dimensions.
Sediment compaction, isostasy, and fault movement are also important factors in changing elevation and bathymetry.
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