isostasy

noun isos·ta·sy \ī-ˈsäs-tə-sē\

Definition of ISOSTASY

: general equilibrium in the earth's crust maintained by a yielding flow of rock material beneath the surface under gravitative stress

: the quality or state of being subjected to equal pressure from every side

— iso·stat·ic \ˌī-sə-ˈsta-tik\ adjective

— iso·stat·i·cal·ly \-ˈsta-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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International Scientific Vocabulary is- + Greek -stasia condition of standing, from histanai to cause to stand — more at stand

First Known Use: 1889

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