Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography tom.h.wilson tom. Department of Geology and Geography West Virginia University Morgantown, WV More about Isostacy
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Back to isostacy- The ideas we’ve been playing around with must have occurred to Airy. You can see the analogy between ice and water in his conceptualization of mountain highlands being compensated by deep mountain roots shown below.
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography
A few more comments on Isostacy
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography At A 2.9 x 40 = 116 The product of density and thickness must remain constant in the Pratt model. A C B At B C x 42 = 116 C =2.76 At C C x 50 = 116 C =2.32
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography
Geological Survey of Japan
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Japan Archipelago Physical Evidence for Isostacy Izu-Bonin Arc Pacific Plate Izu-Bonin Trench Kuril Trench Japan Trench Nankai Trough North American Plate Philippine Sea Plate Eurasian Plate Geological Survey of Japan
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography The Earth’s gravitational field In the red areas you weigh more and in the blue areas you weigh less. Izu-Bonin Arc Pacific Plate Izu-Bonin Trench Kuril Trench Japan Trench Nankai Trough North American Plate Philippine Sea Plate Eurasian Plate Geological Survey of Japan
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Geological Survey of Japan
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography The gravity anomaly map shown here indicates that the mountainous region is associated with an extensive negative gravity anomaly (deep blue colors). This large regional scale gravity anomaly is believed to be associated with thickening of the crust beneath the area. The low density crustal root compensates for the mass of extensive mountain ranges that cover this region. Isostatic equilibrium is achieved through thickening of the low-density mountain root. Geological Survey of Japan
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Geological Survey of Japan
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Geological Survey of Japan
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Geological Survey of Japan
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Geological Survey of Japan
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Watts, 2001
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Watts, 2001
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Morgan, 1996 (WVU Option 2 Thesis)
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Morgan, 1996 (WVU Option 2 Thesis)
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Crustal thickness in WV Derived from Gravity Model Studies
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Surface topography represents an excess of mass that must be compensated at depth by a deficit of mass with respect to the surrounding region See P. F. Ray
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Consider the Mount Everest and tectonic thickening problems handed out last time.
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography A mountain range 4km high is in isostatic equilibrium. (a) During a period of erosion, a 2 km thickness of material is removed from the mountain. When the new isostatic equilibrium is achieved, how high are the mountains? (b) How high would they be if 10 km of material were eroded away? (c) How much material must be eroded to bring the mountains down to sea level? (Use crustal and mantle densities of 2.8 and 3.3 gm/cm 3.) There are actually 4 parts to this problem - we must first determine the starting equilibrium conditions before doing solving for (a). Take Home (individual) Problem
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography The importance of Isostacy in geological problems is not restricted to equilibrium processes involving large mountain-belt- scale masses. Isostacy also affects basin evolution because the weight of sediment deposited in a basin disrupts its equilibrium and causes additional subsidence to occur. Isostacy is a dynamic geologic process
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography Have a look at the take home isostacy problem handed out today. Complete reading of Chapters 3 and 4 We’ll take a quick look at computer quadratics exercise and then move on to Problem 3.11 (next Tuesday) There will be a mid-term test next Thursday & on Tuesday we will set aside some time for review. Text problems 3.10 and 3.11 are due next Tuesday