PurposeThe present investigation is concerned with the two-dimensional deformations in an inhomogeneous fiber-reinforced thermoelastic medium under the influence of gravity in the context of Green–Lindsay theory.Design/methodology/approachMaterial properties are supposed to be graded in x-direction, and normal mode technique is adopted to obtain the exact expressions for the temperature field, displacement components and stresses.FindingsNumerical computations have been carried out with the help of MATLAB software, and the results are depicted graphically to observe the disturbances induced in the considered medium. Comparisons made within the theory of the physical quantities are shown in figures to highlight the effects of fiber reinforcement, inhomogeneity parameter, gravity and time.Originality/valueIn the present work, we have investigated the effects of fiber reinforcement, inhomogeneity parameter, gravity and time in an inhomogeneous, fiber-reinforced thermoelastic medium under the influence of gravity. Although various investigations do exist to observe the disturbances in a thermoelastic medium under the effects of different parameters, the work in its present form i.e. thermally induced vibrations in an inhomogeneous fiber-reinforced thermoelastic material with gravity has not been studied till now. The present work is useful and valuable for analysis of problems involving thermal shock, gravity parameter, fiber reinforcement, inhomogeneous and elastic deformation.