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4. Ocean Basin Shape: Contraction and Isostasy
Evolution of Thermal Structure in Cooling Rock Column
Contraction of Cooled Lithosphere – Density Increase
The equation for volumetric change can be converted to an equation for density contrast.
Cooling Oceanic Lithosphere
Why the droop?
The mean temp. of the lithosphere is cooler, and hence more dense, than the mantle. This urge to sink increases with lithospheric thickness, which increases with time subjected to cooling.
Age Distribution of the Sea Floor
Oceans of Kansas
Introduce Problem Set #1