1. Plural of isostasy; instances or states of gravitational equilibrium of the Earth's crust, in which regions of equal mass are supported at equal depths.
Usage: geology; technical

Examples

• The theory of isostasies explains why mountain ranges and ocean basins maintain their elevations over geological time.
• Different isostasies across continental and oceanic regions reflect variations in crustal density and thickness.
• Geologists study isostasies to understand the long-term stability of the Earth's lithosphere.
• The concept of isostasies is fundamental to plate tectonics and crustal dynamics.