Estratigrafía

Estratigrafía is a branch of geology that studies sedimentary rocks, layered igneous rocks, and metamorphic rocks as rock strata. It is the study of layered rocks and is fundamental to understanding Earth's history. The fundamental principle of stratigraphy is the law of superposition, which states that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top. Other key principles include the principle of original horizontality, which states that sediments are deposited in horizontal layers, and the principle of lateral continuity, which states that layers of sediment extend laterally in all directions until they thin out or encounter a barrier.

Stratigraphy is used to reconstruct the geological history of an area, to correlate rock layers across different locations, and to determine the relative ages of rocks. It is essential for fields such as paleontology, archaeology, and petroleum exploration. The study of stratigraphy involves examining the physical characteristics of rock layers, such as their composition, texture, and structure, as well as their fossil content. Geologists use stratigraphic principles to interpret past environments, climate conditions, and the evolution of life on Earth. The analysis of stratigraphic sequences provides a chronological framework for understanding the dynamic processes that have shaped our planet over millions of years.