depth of compensation

depth of compensation

[′depth əv ‚käm·pən′sā·shən] (geophysics) 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). (hydrology) 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.