stratigrammi

Stratigrammi are graphical representations used in stratigraphy to illustrate the vertical succession of rock units and their relationships across landscapes or basins. The term is commonly encountered in Italian geology, where it refers to diagrams that summarize stratigraphic information in a compact format. Conceptually, stratigrammi correspond to stratigraphic diagrams, such as stratigraphic columns, panels, or correlation charts.

A typical stratigramma includes a vertical axis that represents depth or stratigraphic height, and a series of labeled units or layers that show lithology, thickness, and relative age. Color coding or patterns may indicate lithology (sandstone, shale, limestone, etc.), while boundaries mark contacts, unconformities, or sequence boundaries. Annotations may reference biostratigraphic zones, index fossils, radiometric ages, or isotopic data. When multiple sections are involved, horizontal panels connect equivalent units across sites to aid correlation. Some stratigrammi also display depositional environments, tectonic events, or paleoecological information.

Uses and significance include aiding correlation between outcrops and wells, summarizing complex stratigraphic histories for teaching and research, and supporting resource exploration and environmental reconstructions. They are tools for visual communication that complement tabular data and narrative descriptions.

Limitations include reliance on data quality and interpretive assumptions; different authors may propose alternative correlations or age assignments. As with all stratigraphic diagrams, stratigrammi should be considered approximations that reflect the current state of knowledge.