Heterogeneity in the Lithosphere

Abstract

Geologists and geophysicists have numerous ways to investigate and characterize heterogeneity in the earth. Geophysical characterization includes measurement of physical properties such as seismic velocities and density of rocks. Geological characterization includes mineralogical composition and grain size distribution that are both controlled by the processes by which the rock evolved. Geologists observe the surface of the earth and analyze rocks that originated from within the earth for signs of heterogeneity. The wide variation of rocks erupted from volcanoes provides geochemical and geological evidence of heterogeneity within the earth. Tectonic processes such as folding, faulting, and large scale crustal movements associated with plate tectonics contribute to making the lithosphere heterogeneous.