discontinuity | Energy Glossary

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discontinuity

1. n. [Geophysics]

A subsurface boundary or interface at which a physical quantity, such as the velocity of transmission of seismic waves, changes abruptly. The velocity of P-waves increases dramatically (from about 6.5 to 8.0 km/s) at the Mohorovicic discontinuity between the Earth's crust and mantle.

See related terms: Mohorovicic discontinuityP-waveseismic wave