depth of compensation

1. That depth at which density differences occurring in the earth’s crust are compensated isostatically; calculated to be between 62 and 70-73 miles (100 and 113-117 kilometers). 2. The depth in a body of water at which illuminance has diminished to the extent that oxygen production through photosynthesis and oxygen consumption through respiration by plants are equal; it is the lower boundary of the euphotic zone.

Related terms:

• compensation depth
• calcite compensation depth
• Haanel depth rule
• breaker depth
• design water depth
• mean depth
• friction depth
• sill depth
• pressure depth
• critical depth