Bilingual glossary of geology
Isostasy (Principle of) Isostasie (principe d')
The principle that states that the buoyancy force that pushes a lower-density body (such as a continent or an iceberg) floating in a higher-density body ( such as a the asthenosphere or seawater) upward must be balanced by the gravitational force that pulls it downward (adapted from: Grotzinger et al., 2007). According to this principle, the lithosphere continuously needs to adjust its position as a result of variations in loading, in thickness, or another parameter, with the goal of establishing an equilibrium position.
Themes:
Earth's formation and structure
Glaciers
Related words:
Isostatic Adjustment
Subsidence
Themes:
Earth's formation and structure
Glaciers
Related words:
Isostatic Adjustment
Subsidence