Eustatic, isostatic and tectonic sea level change; major changes in sea level in the last 10,000 years
Sea level changes for three reasons: the volume of ocean water changes globally, the land itself rises or sinks, or tectonic forces shift the crust. All three alter where the sea meets the land.
Real World
Scotland is still rising isostatically — by roughly 1–2 mm per year around the Highlands — because the last ice sheets melted around 10,000 years ago, relieving the enormous weight that had compressed the crust.
Exam Focus
Always distinguish eustatic (global, water volume) from isostatic (local, land movement) change; confusing the two is one of the most penalised errors in this topic.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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