Suhadolc, P., Panza, G.F. and Mueller, St., 1990. Physical properties of the lithosphere-asthenosphere system in Europe. In: R. Freeman and St.Mueller (Editors), The European Geotraverse, Part 6. ~ectono~hysics, 176: 123-135.
All the geophysical fields considered evidence a clear structural difference between the Adriatic Sea-Ionian Sea basin on one side and the Tyrrhenian Sea-Western Mediterranean basin on the other. The former displays continental type characteristics, while the latter shows features definitely related to young ocean basins.
Lateral variations in the thickness of the high-velocity sub-crustal layer, the “lid”, are clearly evidenced in the whole European area. The lateral changes in the shear-wave velocities of the exosphere-~th~osphe~ system are quite pronounced. Gravity data imply a positive density contrast (0.03-0.07 g,/cm3) in the upper mantie related to almost aseismic high-velocity lithospheric roots, which seem to characterize many erogenic belts. The analysis of a transect along the longitudinal axis of the Alps seems to indicate that relevant lateral variations in density are present in the lithospheric part of the mantle.
