stratigraphy

[ struh-tig-ruh-fee ]

noun

1. a branch of geology dealing with the classification, nomenclature, correlation, and interpretation of stratified rocks.

stratigraphy

/ strəˈtɪɡrəfə; strəˈtɪɡrəfɪ; strəˈtɪɡrəfɪst; ˌstrætɪˈɡræfɪk /

noun

1. the study of the composition, relative positions, etc, of rock strata in order to determine their geological history stratig
2. archaeol a vertical section through the earth showing the relative positions of the human artefacts and therefore the chronology of successive levels of occupation

stratigraphy

/ strə-tĭg′rə-fē /

1. The scientific study of rock strata, especially the distribution, deposition, correlation, and age of sedimentary rocks.

Derived Forms

• stratigrapher, noun
• stratigraphic, adjective

Other Words From

• stra·tigra·pher stra·tigra·phist noun
• strat·i·graph·ic [strat-i-, graf, -ik], strati·graphi·cal adjective
• strati·graphi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of stratigraphy¹

First recorded in 1860–65; strati- + -graphy

Example Sentences

Comparing the findings of the 1964 earthquake core samples to samples deeper in the coastal stratigraphy, the research team discovered sedimentary and diatom evidence of three other instances where the splay fault ruptured.

From Science Daily

The two cores used for this study spanned roughly 500 meters of stratigraphy, or 133 million years, with around 15 million years of significant deposition.

From Science Daily

The team simulated Mars-like erosion using the 3D scans of actual, recorded stratigraphy on Earth.

From Science Daily

But, says anthropologist John Hawks, a Rising Star team member and co-author of the papers, “The strongest evidence we have is that the burials disrupt the existing stratigraphy in the cave.”

From National Geographic

The societies that created these written references are also often societies with a high social stratigraphy.

From Scientific American