1. n. [Geology, Geophysics, Shale Gas]

Predictable variation of a property of a material with the direction in which it is measured, which can occur at all scales. For a crystal of a mineral, variation in physical properties observed in different directions is aeolotropy (also known as anisotropy). In rocks, variation in seismic velocity measured parallel or perpendicular to bedding surfaces is a form of aeolotropy. Often found where platy minerals such as micas and clays align parallel to depositional bedding as sediments are compacted, aeolotropy is common in shales.

Synonyms: anisotropy

Antonyms: isotropy

See: birefringence,  extensive dilatancy anisotropy,  heterogeneous formation,  raypath,  seismic velocity,  velocity