Experimental isostasy: 3. Inversion of the isostatic Green function and lateral density changes

Abstract

We have applied the Backus-Gilbert inversion technique to the isostatic Green function for the continental United States, which we measured earlier. A two-level compensation mechanism (overcompensation beneath the crust with the resulting mass deficiency compensated deeper in the mantle) is indicated at about the 80% confidence level. This model is consistent with seismic refraction and surface-wave data.