An experimentally established relationship enables the conversion of compressional seismic velocity to heat production (A). The conversion, performed for 47 characteristic seismic sections from various tectonic units in Central and Eastern Europe, yields a general decrease of A with depth (z). The pattern of decrease depends on geological age: young tectonic units with high heat flow exhibit a more rapid decrease. The depth dependence of A does not follow the simple exponential law A(z)=A(O) exp(-z/D). The logarithmic decrement D has the dimension length; in general, D decreases with depth, from 20--30 km at 10 km depth to less than 10 km at the Moho. In the uppermost 10 km of the crust a certain redistribution of the heat producing radioelements U and Th can occur by deep groundwater migration through microcrack networks. Below the Moho, heat production attains values which represent only insignificant contributions to heat flow through or to temperature field changes in the lithosphere. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1987