shtresat

Shtresat is the Albanian term for layers or strata. The singular form is shtresa. In geology and earth sciences, shtresat refer to the distinct intervals that make up a stratigraphic sequence. They form through the accumulation and lithification of sediments or volcanic materials, and commonly display differences in thickness, composition, grain size, color, and fossil content.

The study of shtresat, stratigraphy, uses principles of relative dating to determine their order and age: the law of superposition, original horizontality, lateral continuity, and cross-cutting relationships. By analyzing shtresat, scientists reconstruct past environments, climates, and geological events, such as transgressions, regressions, and changes in sediment supply.

In addition to geology, the term can be used more broadly to describe any layered structure, including soil horizons, atmospheric or oceanic layers, or layered architectural designs in technology. The concept of shtresat emphasizes discrete, recognizable layers that record a history of formation and change.