straté
Strates are a fundamental concept in geology, referring to distinct layers of rock or soil that are deposited sequentially over time. These layers, often visible as bands in cliff faces or road cuts, form as sediments like sand, silt, and clay accumulate and lithify, or as volcanic ash settles. Each stratum represents a particular period in Earth's history, preserving clues about the environmental conditions at the time of its formation.
The study of these rock layers is known as stratigraphy, a key branch of geology. Stratigraphy helps
Variations in the composition, texture, and color of different strata can indicate changes in the depositional