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An increase in weight to the crust due to thickening from plate collisions, build up of sediments, or glacial override will necessitate a corresponding downward movement into the ductile asthenosphere in an attempt to achieve gravitational equilibrium as it applies to the difference in buoyancy between the different Earth layers.. As this weight is removed through erosion or glacial retreat, the crust will gradually rebound to achieve equilibrium.

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The maintenance of hydrostatic equilibrium of the Earth's crust is called?

Isostasy. This is the balance between the weight of the Earth's crust and the buoyant force exerted by the mantle beneath it, ensuring that the crust remains in a state of equilibrium.


What continental motion is caused by isostasy?

Isostasy can cause continental uplift or subsidence depending on changes in crustal thickness and density. When weight is added to the crust, such as by mountain building or erosion, the crust can adjust by uplifting or sinking to maintain gravitational equilibrium. This vertical movement of the crust due to isostasy is known as isostatic rebound or isostatic subsidence.


Is Isostasy a type of stress?

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.


As erosion removes the tops of mountains the crust will rise upwards This is an example of what?

This is an example of isostasy, which is the concept that the Earth's lithosphere (crust) floats on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below. As material is eroded from the top of mountains, the lithosphere readjusts to maintain equilibrium, resulting in the rising of the crust.


What is the name for the principle that brings floating crust into gravitational balanace?

The principle that brings floating crust into gravitational balance is called isostasy. This concept explains how the Earth's lithosphere, or outermost layer, floats on the denser asthenosphere below, adjusting its elevation to maintain equilibrium.

Related Questions

What is the definition of isostatic?

An isostatic is something that pertains to or is characterized by isostasy. Isostasy is the equilibrium of the Earths crust.


What is vertical Positioning of the Earths crust so that gravitational an buoyont forces balance called?

Isostasy


Why do isostasy occurs?

equillibrium in earths crust such that the force tending to elevate land masses balance the forces tending to depress land masses equillibrium in earths crust such that the force tending to elevate land masses balance the forces tending to depress land masses


What is the effect of actions of magma in the earths crust?

It is from the Volcano


The maintenance of hydrostatic equilibrium of the Earth's crust is called?

Isostasy. This is the balance between the weight of the Earth's crust and the buoyant force exerted by the mantle beneath it, ensuring that the crust remains in a state of equilibrium.


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 did the theory of isostasy states?

everything on the crust is in a state of balance


Which two forces are balanced when a system is in isostasy?

The gravitational force pulling the crust down and the buoyant force pushing the crust up are balanced in isostasy. This equilibrium allows the Earth's crust to float at a certain level within the asthenosphere.


What continental motion is caused by isostasy?

Isostasy can cause continental uplift or subsidence depending on changes in crustal thickness and density. When weight is added to the crust, such as by mountain building or erosion, the crust can adjust by uplifting or sinking to maintain gravitational equilibrium. This vertical movement of the crust due to isostasy is known as isostatic rebound or isostatic subsidence.


Is Isostasy a type of stress?

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.


What is the concept that rocks of the crust and upper mantle are floating in gravitational balance?

The concept you are referring to is called isostasy. Isostasy explains how the Earth's lithosphere (crust and upper mantle) floats on the denser underlying asthenosphere in gravitational equilibrium, with thicker crust floating higher and thinner crust floating lower to maintain balance. This concept helps explain variations in topography and subsurface structure of the Earth's surface.


A condition of gravitational equilibrium in the Earth's crust is know as?

Isostasy is the condition of gravitational equilibrium in the Earth's crust. It refers to the balance between the forces pushing down on the crust (gravity) and the forces pushing back up (buoyancy) caused by variations in the density and thickness of different parts of the crust.