Suhadolc. P. and Panza, G.F.. 1988. The European-African collision and its effects on the lithosphere-asthenosphere system. In: F.-C. Wezel (Editor), The Origin and Evolution of Arcs. Tectonophysrcs. 146: 59-66.
In the European area, lateral changes in the shear wave velocities of the lithosphere+asthenosphere system are quite pronounced. Gravity data imply a positive density contrast (0.03-0.07 g/cm7) in the upper mantle. related to almost aseismic 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 also present in the lithospheric part of the mantle.
