UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE

DEPARTMENT OF STUDIES IN
EARTH SCIENCE
SUBJECT: BASICS OF EARTH SCIENCE
TOPIC : STRATIGRAPHY

PRESENTED TO:
NAMRATHA K
FACULTY
UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE
 STRATIGRAPHY
Stratigraphy is the classification of different layers or
layering of sedimentary deposits, and in sedimentary or
layered volcanic rocks. This field is important to
understanding the geological history and forms the basis
for classification of rocks into distinct units that can be
easily mapped.
BRANCHES OF STRATIGRAPHY:

1. Lithostratigraphy (lithologic
stratigraphy) 
2. Biostratigraphy (biologic stratigraphy).
3. Chronostratigraphy
4. Magnetostratigraphy
LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY:

Lithostratigraphy is a sub-discipline of stratigraphy, the

geological science associated with the study of strata
or rock layers. Major focuses include geochronology,
comparative geology, and petrology. In general, strata
are primarily igneous or sedimentary relating to how
the rock was formed.
 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY:

• Subdivision of rock successions into units on the basis

of lithology or rock type
• Lithostratigraphical standard units:
• Supergroup
• Group • Formation
• Member • Bed
• Lithostratigraphic classification is the subdivision,
classification, and organization of rock strata on the
basis of their lithologic characters
LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC CORRELATION:

To correlate lithostratigraphic units, geologists define facies, and

look for key beds or key sequences that can be used as a datum.
• Direct correlation: based on lithology, color, structure,
thickness...
• Indirect correlation: electric log correlation (gamma-ray, density,
resistivity...)

The identification is based on comparison of physical and

mineralogical characteristics of the rocks, and on general
assumptions known as the Steno's principles:
1. The sedimentary strata occurred sequentially in time: the
youngest at the top.
2. The strata are originally horizontal.
3. The stratum extends in all directions until it thins out or
encounters a barrier.
 BIOSTRATIGRAPHY:

Biostratigraphy is the branch of

stratigraphy that uses fossils to
establish relative ages of rock and
correlate successions of sedimentary
rocks within and between
depositional basins. A biozone is an
interval of geologic strata
characterised by certain fossil taxa.
BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC EVENTS:

• Fossil events are the result of the continuing evolutionary 
trends of life on earth; they differ from physical events in 
that they are unique, non-recurrent, and that their order  is irreversible

• Events that usually utilised in biostratigraphy are
– First appearance
– Last occurrence
– Rapid increase in population
– Rapis decrease in population
 BOUNDARIES:
• The boundaries of a biozone are drawn at surfaces that 
mark the lowest occurrence, highest occurrence, limit, 
increase in abundance, or decrease in abundance of one 
or more components of the fauna or flora.
• Furthermore, the base or top of one kind of biozone may  not, 
or need not, coincide with the base or top of another  kind of biozone.
 CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHY:

Chronostratigraphy is the branch of stratigraphy that studies the ages of rock strata in

relation to time.

The ultimate aim of chronostratigraphy is to arrange the sequence of deposition and

the time of deposition of all rocks within a geological region, and eventually, the entire
geologic record of the Earth.

The standard stratigraphic nomenclature is a chronostratigraphic system based on 

palaeontological intervals of time defined by recognised fossil assemblages (
biostratigraphy). The aim of chronostratigraphy is to give a meaningful age date to
these fossil assemblage intervals and interfaces.
 CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC UNITS, WITH
EXAMPLES:
• Units defined based on time-equivalent stratal
surfaces, natural stratigraphic subdivisions
• Chronozones vary in space but not time
• Correspond to physical boundaries, which can
generate reflections

Chronostratigraphic units, with examples:

• eonothem – Phanerozoic
• erathem – Paleozoic
• system – Ordovician
• series – Upper Ordovician
• stage – Ashgill
CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHY CORRELATION:
MAGNETOSTRATIGRAPHY:

Magnetostratigraphy is a geophysical correlation technique used to date 

sedimentary and volcanic sequences. The method works by collecting
oriented samples at measured intervals throughout the section.
The samples are analyzed to determine their characteristic remanent
 magnetization (ChRM), that is, the polarity of Earth's magnetic field at the
time a stratum was deposited. This is possible because volcanic flows
acquire a thermoremanent magnetization and sediments acquire a 
depositional remanent magnetization, both of which reflect the direction
of the Earth's field at the time of formation. This technique is typically
used to date sequences that generally lack fossils or interbedded igneous
rock.
The Earth generates a magnetic field that
encompasses the entire planet. To first
order approximation, resembles bar
magnet, slightly misaligned with Earth's
rotational axis. It exists because currents in
the electrically-conducting fluid outer-core
produce dynamo-effect.

At a given spot, the orientation of the

magnetic field is described by:
•Inclination: The "dip" angle between field
lines and the horizontal.
•Declination: The "strike" angle between
field lines and true north.
EXAMPLE OF
MAGNETOSTRATIGRAPHY:

Magnetic stripes are the result

of reversals of the Earth's 
magnetic poles and 
seafloor spreading. New oceanic
crust is magnetized as it forms
and then it moves away from
the midocean ridge in both
directions
STRATIGRAPHIC RELATIONSHIP:

Two types of contact: conformable and unconformable.

• Conformable: unbroken deposition, no break or hiatus (break or interruption in

the continuity of the geological record). The surface strata resulting is called
a conformity.
Two types of contact between conformable strata: abrupt contacts (directly
separate beds of distinctly different lithology, minor depositional break, called 
diastems) and gradational contact (gradual change in deposition, mixing zone).

• Unconformable: period of erosion/non-deposition. The surface stratum

resulting is called an unconformity.
Diagrams showing stratigraphic
relations:
A: an angular unconformity;
B: a disconformity;
C: a nonconformity.
Four types of unconformity:

•Angular unconformity: younger sediment lies

upon an eroded surface of tilted or folded older
rocks. The older rock dips at a different angle
from the younger.

•Disconformity: the contact between younger and

older beds is marked by visible, irregular 
erosional surfaces. Paleosol might develop right
above the disconformity surface because of the
non-deposition setting.

•Paraconformity: the bedding planes below and Disconformity with the

above the unconformity are parallel. A time gap is Lower Cretaceous Edwards
present, as shown by a faunal break, but there is Formation overlying a Lower
no erosion, just a period of non-deposition. Permian limestone; hiatus is
about 165 million years;
•Nonconformity: relatively young sediments are Texas
deposited right above older igneous or 
metamorphic rocks
THANK YOU ALL.

PRESENTED BY:
BHOOMIKA.R
1ST M.COM ‘B’
(Open Elective Student)
UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE.