🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <648@bath63.ux63.bath.ac.uk> ma_jpb@ux63.bath.ac.uk (Bennett) writes:
>[...]
>                                           Given we can work out the kinetic
>energy of the plate, we can calculate the height of the mountains this would
>raise if converted to potential energy with 100% efficiency.

There seems to be a limit to the height of the mountains.  If I remember 
correctly from freshman physics,  Everest is close to the theoretical height
of a mountain.  This is because the intense pressure sustained by the rock 
supporting the mountain has brought it to nearly melting temperatures.         
Obviously this is only applicable to the rock deep inside the base region of
the mountain, upon which most of the stress falls.  

I'm lead to wonder whether a molten inner base of a mountain (due to stress)
would cause the mountain to collapse, or if the molten portion could be
successfully contained by the less-strained base of the mountain?

-charles
 
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