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    Isostasy

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    arqian
    George Everest discovered errors in a 1850s survey of India due to the gravitational attraction of the Himalayas on his equipment. John Pratt investigated and found the gravitational attraction was less than expected, implying a mass deficit at depth. Pratt proposed isostasy, where mountains are supported by density variations in the crust. Alternatively, Airy proposed isostasy where mountains are supported by changes in crustal thickness, with a relatively constant density crust floating on a fluid layer below. Both theories imply the plate is relatively light and "floats" on the fluid beneath.

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    Isostasy

    Uploaded by

    arqian
    688 views2 pages
    George Everest discovered errors in a 1850s survey of India due to the gravitational attraction of the Himalayas on his equipment. John Pratt investigated and found the gravitational attraction was less than expected, implying a mass deficit at depth. Pratt proposed isostasy, where mountains are supported by density variations in the crust. Alternatively, Airy proposed isostasy where mountains are supported by changes in crustal thickness, with a relatively constant density crust floating on a fluid layer below. Both theories imply the plate is relatively light and "floats" on the fluid beneath.

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    George Everest discovered errors in a 1850s survey of India due to the gravitational attraction of the Himalayas on his equipment. John Pratt investigated and found the gravitational attraction was less than expected, implying a mass deficit at depth. Pratt proposed isostasy, where mountains are supported by density variations in the crust. Alternatively, Airy proposed isostasy where mountains are supported by changes in crustal thickness, with a relatively constant density crust floating on a fluid layer below. Both theories imply the plate is relatively light and "floats" on the fluid beneath.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    688 views2 pages

    Isostasy

    Uploaded by

    arqian
    George Everest discovered errors in a 1850s survey of India due to the gravitational attraction of the Himalayas on his equipment. John Pratt investigated and found the gravitational attraction was less than expected, implying a mass deficit at depth. Pratt proposed isostasy, where mountains are supported by density variations in the crust. Alternatively, Airy proposed isostasy where mountains are supported by changes in crustal thickness, with a relatively constant density crust floating on a fluid layer below. Both theories imply the plate is relatively light and "floats" on the fluid beneath.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 2

    Isostasy

    Isostasy

    George Everest discovered


    errors whilst surveying
    India by triangulation in
    1850s

    1. Why do only oceans


    get subducted?

    Errors through caused by


    gravitational attraction of
    Himalayas on surveyor's
    plumb bob

    2. Why are oceans


    deep?

    Isostasy

    Archdeacon John Pratt


    called in to investigate
    discovered that
    gravitational attraction of
    mountain range was LESS
    than theory predicted

    PRATT

    Implication of unexpectedly low


    gravitational attraction of Himalayas
    is that there is a MASS DEFICIT at
    depth.
    PRATT ISOSASTY: Mountain range
    supported by density variations
    within the crust.
    AIRY ISOSTASY: Mountain range
    supported by changes in crustal
    thickness; crustal density relatively
    constant.
    Either way, the plate is relatively light
    and 'floats' on a fluid layer beneath.

    AIRY

    1. Why do only oceans get subducted?

    2. Why are oceans deep?


    1. Continental Drift:
    Geological observations
    imply Lateral Motions

    2. Isostasy:
    Implies vertical motions

    Problem . . .
    Mantle must be rigid because
    it transmits seismic waves
    But isostasy concept implies
    that mantle is fluid

    . . . Timescale

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