Svita

Svita is a term used in geology and archaeology to denote a stratigraphic unit or layer within a sedimentary sequence. In this context, a svita represents a discrete time interval or depositional environment, distinguished from adjacent layers by changes in lithology, color, grain size, fossil content, or geochemical signatures. Stratigraphic work often records svitas in field notes and reports, and svitas can be subdivided into smaller subunits or grouped into larger units depending on regional conventions.

Correlation of svitas between sites relies on shared markers, such as distinctive lithologies, fossil assemblages, or dating results, enabling reconstruction of the sequence of deposition and past environments. Svitas may be used to organize a site’s archive of sediments, guiding interpretations of landscape evolution, climate change, or human activity over time.

Beyond geology and archaeology, Svita can also appear as a personal name or as a toponym in some languages. As a surname, it occurs in communities where the term forms part of local vocabulary. Place names or cultural references bearing Svita may vary in meaning and should be interpreted within their linguistic and historical context.

See also: Stratigraphy, Layer (geology), Chronostratigraphy.