Stratopauser

Stratopauser is a term used in discussions of stratigraphy to denote a hypothetical mechanism or instrument by which sedimentation can be temporarily halted, creating a hiatus in a stratigraphic sequence. The name blends stratum, referring to layers, with pauser, indicating a stop.

In its intended sense it is not a real, widely adopted device. Rather, stratopauser serves as a theoretical construct used in modelling and thought experiments to explore how pauses in deposition influence the appearance of layers, fossil continuity, and the isotopic or chemical signals preserved in sediments.

In computer simulations and analog experiments, a stratopauser is represented by a controlled reduction or cessation of deposition for a defined interval, allowing researchers to study the formation of hiatuses, unconformities, and the eventual resumption of sedimentation under varying conditions.

The concept is primarily pedagogical and speculative. It is discussed to illustrate the effects of hiatus duration and timing on sequence stratigraphy, but it is not a standard field tool and has not been adopted as an empirical method.

See also: hiatus, unconformity, stratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy.