What is isostasy? Critically discuss Airy and Pratt's views on isostasy.

Isostasy refers to the state of gravitational equilibrium between the Earth's lithosphere and asthenosphere, where the lithosphere "floats" on the more fluid-like asthenosphere beneath it. The principle of isostasy suggests that the Earth's crust adjusts to maintain equilibrium as it responds to vertical forces like topography, loading, and unloading. In other words, the Earth's crust behaves somewhat like a buoyant object floating in a denser fluid, with the crust "sinking" or "rising" based on the amount of material or load placed upon it. This concept plays a significant role in explaining the distribution of Earth's landforms, such as mountains, continents, and oceanic basins.

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