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Is Isostasy a type of stress?

Updated: 10/26/2022
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13y ago

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Isostasy itself isn't a type of stress. Restoring isostasy, however, puts stress on the crust. Allow me to explain:

Isostasy is the process of the earth's crust floating on the mantle. When the crust suddenly gets heavier (this happens during an ice age close to the poles, the weight of the ice pushing the crust down), the crust will sink deeper into the mantle. This process is called "restoring the isostasy". The isostasy is reached when the upward force from the mantle (the buoyant force) and the downward force from the crust (gravity) are in balance again.

When an ice age ends, the isostasy will be disrupted again, because all the weight of the ice on the crust will be gone. The crust will start to rise again, using the same forces as before, but in a reverse way. This process is still going on in Scandinavia, where the crust is still lifting up from the last ice age. As with all geological processes, restoring isostasy isn't fast: it can take thousands of years to restore the isostasy.

Analog to the isostacy (but a lot quicker), is when you push down an icecube in a glass of water. The icecube will get lower into the water, as you push it down. but it will push back, because it's lighter then the water, and the buoyant force tries to make it float as good as possible. When it doesn't move anymore, it means the buoyant force and the force you are applying with your finger are in balance, and isostasy is reached.

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13y ago
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Q: Is Isostasy a type of stress?
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