Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to Plate tectonics plays a role in sea-level rise/fall on a local and global scale.

Isostatic Rebound and relative sea level.
jms — (archived)

Another important factor in relative sea level change is isostasy, which is more important for North America and Europe.

During the Pleistocene glaciations, when continental glaciers were thick (like 14,000 feet thick) the weight of the ice pushed the continental crust thousands of feet below sea level. When the ice melts, the depressed crust rises, but slowly. This creates a local / regional relative sea-level drop, unless it is offset by increasing sea-level due to melting continental glaciers.

North America and Northern Europe are still rebounding today at non uniform rates from area to area. Greenland and Antarctica are still depressed. Awww.

I quickly scanned Steve's linked article, and saw no mention of Isostatic rebound and it's role in relative sea-level changes for these areas.

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (43 posts)