A 4-km high mountain range is in isostatic equilibrium. Assuming an average thic
ID: 802379 • Letter: A
Question
A 4-km high mountain range is in isostatic equilibrium. Assuming an average thickness of 35 km for the continental crust, calculate the following. During a period of erosion, a 2 km thickness of material is removed from the mountains. When the new isostatic equilibrium is achieved, how high are the mountains? How high would they be if 10km of material were eroded away? How much material must be eroded to bring the mountains down to sea level? (Use crustal and mantle densities of 2.8 times 10^3 and 3.3 times 10^3 kg/m^3, respectively).Explanation / Answer
Answer: a
The height of eroded rock will be compensate by the upward movement of crust to same level, means the height would be regain as same as 4 km.
Answer b:
The height would be 14 km, if 10km were eroded away.
Answer c:
4km material must be eroded to bring the mountains down to sea level.