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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.
What happens during isostatic rebound?
Post-glacial rebound (sometimes called continental rebound, glacial isostasy, glacial isostatic adjustment) is the rise of land masses that were depressed by the huge weight of ice sheets during the last glacial period, through a process known as isostasy.
Can Isostatic adjustments occur as a result of the erosion of mountain ranges?
Yes, isostatic adjustments can occur as a result of erosion of mountain ranges. When material is eroded from the top of a mountain range, the removal of the weight causes the crust beneath to slowly rebound and readjust, leading to isostatic adjustments. Over time, this can cause the mountain range to decrease in height and the surrounding land to rise.
How is isostasy a reason for earthquakes?
Isostasy refers to the balance between the Earth's lithosphere (outermost layer) and asthenosphere (plastic layer below). When the lithosphere undergoes stress, such as due to tectonic forces, it can become imbalanced and adjust to achieve equilibrium. During this adjustment process, known as isostatic readjustment, earthquakes can occur as the rocks rupture and release built-up energy. Hence, isostasy can be a contributing factor to the occurrence of earthquakes.
Explain how erosion and isostasy eventually produce stable relatively thin continental crust?
Erosion removes material from the Earth's surface, reducing the weight on the crust. Isostasy is the process by which Earth's crust achieves balance by adjusting its elevation in response to changes in weight. Over time, erosion and isostasy work together to maintain a stable, relatively thin continental crust by regulating the distribution of weight across the Earth's surface.
