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Seismic investigations of the Earth’s velocity structure have revealed a rather complex image of the Earth, exemplified by velocity perturbations of several percent over scales ranging from centimeters to thousands of kilometers (Figure 11.1). Reflection seismic data often show a “layered”, reflective lower crust (Mooney and Meissner, 1992) with velocity inhomogeneities up to 10% (e.g., Sandmeier and Wenzel, 1986; 1990; Levander and Holliger, 1992). The spatial distribution of lower crustal impedance fluctuations seems to obey fractal scaling laws over a scale range of at least 0.1–1 km (Hurich, 1996; Hurich, this volume). At the crust/mantle boundary (Moho) the scale of heterogeneity seems to change rapidly.

Fear and anxiety are most important in the production and maintenance of a symptom. Vaginismus, a reaction of avoidance of an anxiety-producing situation, is readily amenable to treatment by systematic desensitization. This may proceed in either of two main ways: “in vitro” or “in vivo.” In order to strengthen and accelerate the desensitization process, a hypnotic technique was combined with the above-mentioned methods.

Vaginismus (spastic contractions of the vaginal musculature that make intercourse impossible) has long been considered difficult, if not impossible, to treat with traditional psychotherapy. Surgical removal of the hymen is also ineffective, as the problem is a muscle spasm, not an imperforate hymen. In this article, the use of systematic desensitization with sexual imagery is described, as is actual (in vivo) use of a series of graduated dilators. Note that although the authors do not emphasize it, the use of dilators was much more effective. All thirty-one patients who completed dilator therapy (out of thirty-four who began therapy) were cured, while only six of nine desensitization patients were cured. Other clinical work has indicated that use of dilators—with or without the hypnosis these therapists used—is indeed the treatment of choice for vaginismus.