Stratigraphic Column
“How can we depict the age of the Earth?
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Stratigraphy is a branch of geology concerned with the classification of the physical and chronological ordering of different layers of sedimentary deposits. The stratigraphic column, or stratigraphic section, is a method of graphic representation that preserves measured geologic sequences according to the arrangement of its actual physical ordering conditions, with younger rock units above older ones. Layers of rock units are represented as diagrammatic boxes that contain the relevant symbols and names of rock types found in that particular layer. The symbols and names are kept consistent with the symbols used in accompanying geological maps. Stratigraphic columns may also include layer vertical thickness as additional textual information, although the extent to which the thickness of these layers is also indicated diagrammatically.
The stratigraphic column can also be used to identify the presence of fossils within biostratigraphy![]()
, geological formation dating, and the magnetic properties of rock layers within magneto stratigraphy![]()
. In each case, the basic graphical conventions are adapted to produce specialized stratigraphic columns.
Image source:
“Figure 1. Simplified Stratigraphic Column Section of the Transvaal And...” n.d. ResearchGate. Accessed March 6, 2022. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Simplified-stratigraphic-column-section-of-the-Transvaal-and-Olifantshoek-Supergroups-in_fig1_327886909.
References
1. “International Commission on Stratigraphy.” n.d. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://stratigraphy.org/chart.
2. “Stratigraphic Sections, Geology 103A, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Tim Horner, CSUS Sacramento.” n.d. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.csus.edu/indiv/h/hornert/geol_103_spring_2017/stratigraphic%20sections.htm.
3. “Stratigraphy | Geology | Britannica.” n.d. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/science/stratigraphy-geology.
4. “Stratigraphy | Norges Geologiske Undersøkelse.” n.d. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.ngu.no/en/topic/stratigraphy.
5. “What Are Stratigraphic Columns?” n.d. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://digitalatlas.cose.isu.edu/geo/basics/sedstrat.htm
1. “International Commission on Stratigraphy.” n.d. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://stratigraphy.org/chart.
2. “Stratigraphic Sections, Geology 103A, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Tim Horner, CSUS Sacramento.” n.d. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.csus.edu/indiv/h/hornert/geol_103_spring_2017/stratigraphic%20sections.htm.
3. “Stratigraphy | Geology | Britannica.” n.d. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/science/stratigraphy-geology.
4. “Stratigraphy | Norges Geologiske Undersøkelse.” n.d. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.ngu.no/en/topic/stratigraphy.
5. “What Are Stratigraphic Columns?” n.d. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://digitalatlas.cose.isu.edu/geo/basics/sedstrat.htm