Laws/Principles of Stratigraphy – Flashcards
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In an undisturbed sequence, older strata lie beneath younger strata.
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What is the Law of Superposition?
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When deposited, strata tend to be horizontal or nearly so.
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What is the Principle of Original Horizontality?
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States that if a rock body (rock A) contains fragments of another rock body (rock B), the fragments must have already existed. Rock B (source of the fragments) is older.
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The rule (or law) of inclusions
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States that a structure (ex: a fault) or a rock body (ex: igneous intrusion) must be younger than some other structure or rock body it cuts across.
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Law of crosscutting relationships
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Initially, strata extended without interruption to the margin of the basin of deposition.
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Principle of Lateral Continuity
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Could be interpreted upon the basis of similar physical appearance, or position of a stratum in a larger sequence.
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What is Correlation?
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A stratum, or group of stratum that is big enough or thick enough to symbolize on a geologic map. Ex: Buda limestone
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What is a geologic formation?
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States that there is a regular succession of fossil forms in going from lower (older) to higher (younger) strata.
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Principle of Faunal Succession
