eustasy

1. (geology, oceanography) A worldwide change in sea level, especially one caused by melting ice or tectonic activity.Examples: "The age of the dunal or other deposits, formed on it after the sea had begun to withdraw, in accordance with the theory of glacial eustasy, and which I have named Berardian, is, however, the crucial thing here."; "Takai, F., and Tsuchi, R. 1963 The Quaternary: In "Geology of Japan," Univ. Calif. Press: 173–196 / […] From these facts, it is inferred that the main coastal terraces were probably formed due to glacial eustacy."; "The range in elevation suggests that the sea level was not constant during the formation of the caves and that the rise of land – perhaps counterbalanced periodically by glacial eustacies – was probably continuous."