Large Scale Gravity and

Isostasy
Chapter 9

Isostasy: The Concept of Floating Blocks

Isostasy = the concept that large topographic
features effectively float on the asthenosphere
Iso = same stasis = standstill
Involves a state of constant pressure at any point
Pressure: P = g h

If g were measured from a balloon at constant elevation

you would expect a mass excess (i.e. larger g) above
mountains.
We commonly observe considerably less g over large mountains
Consistent with low density roots beneath large mountains

Isostasy: The Initial Discovery

The hypothesis that large mountains have low
density roots was first proposed during topographic
surveys of India and the Himalayan Mountains
Questions:
How does this low density
root form?
As a mountain range
becomes eroded why are
there not large negative
anomalies due to the low
density roots?
Explanation:
Large topographic features
effectively float on the
asthenosphere
Follows Archimedes principle

Archimedes Principle
Supposedly, Archimedes was taking a bath one day and
noticed that the tub overflowed when he got in.
He realized that displaced water could be used to
Detect volumes of odd shaped objects
Detect density differences (helped determine that a crown wasnt 100%
gold)

Archimedes Principle:
As an object is partially submerged in a fluid, the weight of
fluid that is displaced = the weight reduction of the object
When the displaced fluid = the weight of the object
It floats

Isostatic Compensation
Take the case of a layered block floating in a fluid
Remove two layers and
The bottom is now less deep below the surface of the liquid
The top is less elevated above the surface of the fluid

Thus, floating blocks will seek isostatic equilibrium and are

said to be isostatically compensated
In the case of the continental crust, density differences are
small, so any significant topography in isostatic equilibrium
must be balanced by a thick crustal root
E.g. the Himalayas are < 9 km above sea level, but have roots > 70
km
So, mountains in isostatic equilibrium are like the tip of an iceberg

Isostasy and Gravity

If blocks are in isostatic equilibrium
Gravity measurements made at some constant
elevation above the blocks would detect (almost) no
variation in g
There would be small variations at the edges of blocks due
to the nearby topography

Isostatic Calculations
Take the simple example of two floating blocks A
and B
Each has different layers of varying thickness and density
Includes an asthenospheric layer and an air layer

Weight g h
If A and B are in isostatic equilibrium
thesame
1 g h1 2 gh2 Their
1 g h1 2 g h2 air g hair asth g hasth BlockB
3 g h3total
air gweights
hair asth g are
hasth BlockA
g 1h1 2 h2 3h3 asth hasth BlockA g 1h1 2 h2 asth hasth BlockB

1h1 2 h2 3h3 asth hasth BlockA 1h1 2 h2 asth hasth BlockB

These are
referred to as
the weight
equation
n

i 1

i hi

Block A

i 1

i hi

Block B

Isostatic Calculations
If A and B are in isostatic equilibrium
Their total heights are the same

h1 h2 h3 hair hasth BlockA h1 h2 hair hasth BlockB

This is referred to as the height equation

hi

hi

i 1 Block A i 1 Block B
In practice
Choose the top to be the highest elevation of rock (or water/ice)
Choose the bottom to be the lowest elevation of lithosphere

Example Isostatic Calculation #1

Take the case of adding a 2 km thick glacier on top
of a continent
The weight of the ice causes the block to sink deeper until
isostatic equilibrium is reached
Treat the before and after as two separate blocks that are
both in equilibrium and use weight equation
(3 x 2.0) + (30 x 2.7) + (70 x 3.1) + (ha x 3.2) = (2 x 0.9) + (3 x 2.0) +
(30 x 2.7) + (70 x 3.1)

So what does this mean?

ha = 0.56 km
Adding 2 km of ice on top of
this continent caused 0.56 km
of isostatic subsidence
The elevation of the top of the
ice sheet after isostatic
equilibrium is reached will be
only 1.44 km above the
original block (from height
equation)

hair + 3 + 30 + 70 + 0.56 = 2 + 3 +
30 +70
hair = 2 0.56 = 1.44 km

Example Isostatic Calculation #2

Suppose that there was a large 2 km deep lake (in
equilibrium)
Gradually, sediments are brought in by rivers that eventually
replace the water and fill the lake up to its current water level
How thick would the sediments be? (why not 2 km?)
(2 x 1.0) + (3 x 2.0) + (30 x 2.7) + (90 x 3.1) + (ha x 3.2) = (hs x 1.8) + (3 x 2.0) + (30 x
2.7) + (90 x 3.1)
Two unknowns! Need another equation. Use the height equation.
2 + 3 + 30 + 90 + ha = hs + 3 + 30 + 90 hs = ha + 2

Substitute hs = ha + 2 into
weight equation
2 + ha x 3.2 = hs x 1.8
2+ ha x 3.2 = (ha + 2) x 1.8
3.2 ha + 2 = 1.8 ha + 3.6
3.2 ha = 1.8 ha + 1.6
1.4 ha = 1.6
ha = 1.142857142 km
ha = 1.1 km
Use Height equation to figure
out hs

Example Isostatic Calculation #2

So, ha = 1.1 km and hs = 3.1 km
It took 3.1 km of sediment to completely fill up to the previous
lake level
This 3.1 km of sediment added weight and caused an isostatic
compensation of -1.1 km (subsidence)
Likewise, removing material would cause isostatic uplift
But the overall elevation would decrease even after isostatic adjustment

Airy and Pratt Models of Isostasy

Two end member models have been proposed to
account for isostasy.
Airy Model: All blocks have the same density but
different thicknesses
Pratt Model: All blocks float to the same depth but
have different densities

Airy Model of Isostasy

Airy Model: All blocks have the same density but
different thicknesses
Thicker blocks have higher elevation and much thicker
roots
Higher ground is where the lithosphere is thicker
The weight equation becomes:
hlith lith
hasth asth A hlith lith hasth asth B

Pratt Model of Isostasy

Pratt Model: All blocks float at the same depth, but
have differing density
higher elevations indicate less dense rocks
Higher ground is where the lithosphere is thicker
The weight equation becomes:

hlith lith A hlith lith B

The height equation is the same

for both Airy and Pratt models

Airy vs. Pratt: Which is Correct?

The Airy and Pratt are not the only possible models
They are end member models
A combination of density changes and lithosphere
thickness may occur

But, in general, most data supports

The Airy model for continental mountain ranges
Continental mountain ranges have thick crustal roots

The Pratt model for mid-ocean ridges

Mid ocean ridges have topography that is supported by
density changes
Increased temperature at ridges ---> rocks expand ---> lower
density

The Isostatic Anomaly

Recall that earlier we learned that floating blocks (in
equilibrium) should produce no anomaly.
Gravity measurements at B and D will yield the same
values if the free-air correction is applied.
When only the latitude and free-air corrections have been made
the result is called the free-air anomaly

If the Bouguer correction is made, the extra mass above

B is removed and results in a negative Bouguer anomaly

The Isostatic Anomaly

If a region is not isostatically compensated
The free-air anomaly will be positive
The Bouguer anomaly will be zero

Partially compensated regions are common

free-air anomaly > 0
Bouguer anomaly < 0