Airy isostasy model in geophysics
E753776
The Airy isostasy model in geophysics is a theory proposing that variations in topographic height are supported by corresponding differences in crustal thickness, with higher regions underlain by deeper, less dense “roots” floating in gravitational balance on the denser mantle.
All labels observed (1)
| Label | Occurrences |
|---|---|
| Airy isostasy model in geophysics canonical | 1 |
Statements (36)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
geophysical theory
ⓘ
isostasy model ⓘ |
| appliesTo | continental lithosphere ⓘ |
| assumes |
constant crustal density
ⓘ
crust floats on denser mantle ⓘ uniform density mantle at depth of compensation ⓘ variable crustal thickness ⓘ |
| basedOn |
Archimedes' principle
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
principle of buoyancy ⓘ |
| category | theories of isostasy ⓘ |
| comparedWith |
Pratt isostasy model
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
flexural isostasy model ⓘ |
| describes | gravitational balance of the lithosphere ⓘ |
| explains | topographic height variations by crustal thickness variations ⓘ |
| field | geophysics ⓘ |
| frameworkFor | first-order estimates of crustal structure ⓘ |
| ignores | lithospheric flexural rigidity ⓘ |
| influenced | development of modern isostatic models ⓘ |
| involves |
Moho discontinuity
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
crust–mantle boundary ⓘ depth of compensation ⓘ |
| namedAfter | George Biddell Airy NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| predicts |
thicker crust beneath plateaus
ⓘ
thinner crust beneath lowlands ⓘ |
| proposedBy | George Biddell Airy NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| relatesTo |
Earth's mantle
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
continental crust ⓘ isostatic equilibrium ⓘ |
| simplifies | mechanical behavior of lithosphere as locally supported ⓘ |
| states |
higher topography is underlain by thicker crustal roots
ⓘ
mountain belts have deep crustal roots ⓘ |
| timePeriod | 19th century ⓘ |
| usedIn |
crustal thickness estimation
ⓘ
interpretation of gravity anomalies ⓘ mountain belt studies ⓘ topographic compensation analysis ⓘ |
Referenced by (1)
Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.
subject surface form:
George Biddell Airy