Describe how to estimate the thickness of the lithosphere from topography near a big surface load. Use this technique to compute the elastic thickness (h) of the lithosphere on Europa from the data in Figure 8.8, assuming the plate is broken beneath the load, g = 1.32 m/s², E = 10 GPa, ν = 0.3, ρ_m = 1000 kg/m³, and there is no fill in the flexural basin (ρ_fill = 0). Compare your results to values of elastic thickness given in Figure 8.13 for the Pacific plate beneath the Hawaiian islands and the Ulfrun region of Venus.

Figure 8.8

Figure 8.13

Transcribed Image Text:

Topography (m) 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 -20 -40 -60 -80 0 10 km Crest of bulge 1000 2000 X 3000 Photoclinometry profile Numerical model of elastic plate Distance (m) 4000 Crack 5000 6000