What causes isostatic rebound?

Isostatic rebound is the uplift and readjustment of the land after a glaciation. During the last glacial maximum, and other ice ages, the weight of the ice sheets pressed down on the land, causing it to sink and depress. However due to the relative elasticity of the mantle, once the ice melted, the land was able to rebound upwards. Some areas are continuing to do so today, such as Western Scotland. Landforms such as relict cliffs and raised beaches are evidence of this ongoing process. 

Answered by Martha H. Geography tutor

12488 Views

See similar Geography A Level tutors

Related Geography A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do I structure a 40 mark essay answer?


To what extent will increased energy scarcity effect geopolitics?


How does a glacier erode a landscape to form a U-Shaped valley?


Evaluate the evidence used to reconstruct climate change


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy