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Geolens

Glossary

417 words used in the labs.

Find a term from the labs, understand the process behind it, and see how it appears in the landscape. Each entry connects an explanation with a real observation and a model you can explore.

Term

Root

In isostasy, the thickened lower part of continental crust beneath a mountain belt. Less dense crust extends deeper into the mantle and helps support high topography. The term describes crustal structure, not a literal plant-like shape.

What to look for

The Himalaya stand above thickened continental crust. Their deep crustal root is inferred from geophysical evidence beneath the mountains visible here.

Related labs

Isostasy →
Snow-covered Himalayan peaks and valleys photographed from the International Space Station.
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Explore further with USGS water glossary · USGS volcano glossary · NPS glacial geology · NASA Earth facts. Photograph acknowledgements are collected on the Image credits page.