\I*sos"ta*sy\, n. [See {Iso-}; {Stasis}.]
The state or quality of being isostatic. Specif. (Geol.),
general equilibrium in the earth's crust, supposed to be
maintained by the yielding or flow of rock material beneath
the surface under gravitative stress. By the theory of
isostasy each unit column of the earth, from surface to
center, has approximately the same weight, and the continents
stand higher than the ocean beds chiefly because the material
of the crust has there less density.