Isostasy

/ʌɪˈsɒstəsi/ noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The state of balance or pressure equilibrium thought to exist within the Earth's crust, whereby the upper lithosphere floats on denser magma beneath. uncountable, usually

    "The process of vertical movement, known as isostasy, was a foundation of geological belief for generations, though no-one had any really good theories as to how or why it happened."

  2. 2
    (geology) a general equilibrium of the forces tending to elevate or depress the earth's crust wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
buoyant equilibriumgeodynamic buoyancygeological buoyancyisostatic equilibriumisostatic theory

Example

More examples

"The process of vertical movement, known as isostasy, was a foundation of geological belief for generations, though no-one had any really good theories as to how or why it happened."

Etymology

From iso- + Ancient Greek στάσις (stásis, “a standing”).

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