In the interior of continents the earth's crust is typically about 40km thick and the elevation is near sea level.Most earth materials expand when heated,lowering their density.During rifting continental margins are heated but cool as sea floor spreading moves offshore from the continent.Thus,basic isostasy suggests that after rifting,a continental margin will ________.
A)uplift
B)subside
C)remain near sea level
D)rise slowly as erosion removes uplifted rocks

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

After rifting, a continental margin will subside because as the heated crust cools, it becomes denser and sinks, leading to subsidence.

In the Interior of Continents the Earth's Crust Is Typically