colorstratified

Colorstratified is a descriptive term used in color-critical disciplines to denote systems in which color encodes discrete strata or layers within a dataset, object, or scene. In this usage, colors correspond to ordinal categories such as depth, composition, or hierarchical rank, rather than representing single numeric values.

The term combines color with stratified, indicating a layered, ordered structure. It is not a formal standard with a single definition, but rather a descriptive label used across fields such as data visualization, geology, microscopy, and materials science to communicate a color-based layering principle.

Applications include geospatial maps that shade by soil or rock strata, tissue histology images where colors mark different tissue layers, or manufacturing schematics where each layer is color-coded for clarity. In visualization, colorstratified schemes aim to preserve perceptual order and distinguish adjacent strata while avoiding misinterpretation.

Design considerations include choosing a perceptually uniform, sequential or diverging palette, testing for color vision deficiencies, and ensuring alignment with the underlying data scale. The approach is often paired with legends and qualitative cues to prevent ambiguity.

Related concepts include color mapping, stratified sampling, and sequential color palettes.