GEOL 222 STRATIGRAPHY &

HISTORICAL GEOLOGY
MRS Roferos
WHAT IS STRATIGRAPHY?

Stratigraphy is the study of stratified rocks

in terms of their sequence of deposition,
lithologic properties, and correlation in
space and time.

It is a higher perspective of understanding

rock strata in terms of their relationship
with other rock units in space and time.

Hence, it is the study of Earth’s history

recorded in rocks.
WHAT IS HISTORICAL GEOLOGY ?
Historical geology is the
study of the Earth’s past
that are recorded in
rocks while the history of
life is expressed in its
fossils.

What is the relationship

between historical
geology and
stratigraphy?

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/new-species-ancient-human-discovered-luzon-philippines-homo-luzonensis
STRATIGRAPHY OF GRAND CANYON
Why is Grand Canyon an exemplar study area of
• The Grand Canyon in Colorado is
an epitome of stratigraphy of rock
stratigraphy ?
formation as it exemplifies vertical
(time) and lateral (space)
relationship of sedimentary rocks
which are defined by lithologic
properties (physical properties:
color, texture, grain size and
composition), paleontological:
shape, structure, evolutionary
patterns, taxonomic relationship
characteristics `(naming and
classification of identified fossil),
geophysical properties, age
relationships and geographic https://www.nps.gov/articles/age-of-rocks-in-
grand-
canyon.htm#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9CGrand

position and distribution. %20Canyon%20Supergroup%20Rocks,step%E2%

80%9D%20canyon%20walls%20(figs.
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS IN STRATIGRAPHY

Laws of Stratigraphy

Stratigraphic Units

Correlation techniques

Facies analysis
PRINCIPLES OF
STRATIGRAPHY
Principle of Uniformitarianism

Principle of Lateral Horizontality

Principle of Superposition

Principle of Cross Cutting Relations

Principle of Inclusions

Principle of Chilled Margins

Principle of Correlation
LAW OF UNIFORMITARIANISM
The principle of uniformitarianism was very
postulated by James Hutton (1726-1797)

He derived this postulate while examining

rocks in Scotland and noted sedimentary
features mud cracks, ripple marks, graded
bedding and many more.

He concluded that the present processes

operating on Earth must be the same
processes that operated in the past.

“The present is the key to the past.”

LAW OF LATERAL HORIZONTALITY

Sedimentary strata are deposited in layers

that are horizontal or nearly horizontal,
parallel to the Earth’s surface

Nicolas Steno (1638-1686)

Sediments deposited on steep slope will be

washed away where as if they deposited in
nearly horizontal layers can be buried and
lithified.

Hence, inclined rocks or folded rocks have

been disturbed after their deposition.
LAW OF
SUPERPOSITION
Introduced by Nicolaus Steno

In a sequence of sedimentary layers, the one on

top is younger than the lower layer

This is attributed to gravity as a controlling

factor in depositing sediments in the lower
most part of a basin, followed by successive
younger layers.
PRINCIPLES OF CROSS
CUTTING RELATIONSHIP
Introduced by Nicholas Steno in
1669, “the body that has been cut is
older than the one that cuts.”

The one that truncates is younger.

An example of this is when a

sedimentary sequence truncated by
diabase

What is diabase? What term is

synonymous to it?

Give the sequence of deposition ?

Dolerite
LAW OF INCLUSION

The law of inclusion expresses

that an inclusion (shell, rock
fragment, etc) is older than
the rock enclosing it.

What are xenoliths? What is

its implication if you find
one ?
LAW OF CHILLED
MARGINS
Chilled margins are derived when hot magma
intrudes into cold country rock. The magma
along the margins of the intrusion will cool
rapidly than then interior.

How are you going to identify "bake and chill

texture"

Fine grained rock or glassy rock is observed on

the intrusion side. Meanwhile, the grains
becomes larger in size away from the margin.

On the other hand, the intruded rocks exudes

heat and results to “baked zone” on the
surrounding rock opposite the chilled margins.
PRINCIPLE OF FOSSIL
CORRELATION
Correlation determines time
equivalency of rock units, which may
be correlated within a region, a continent,
and even between continent.

Correlation may be based on similar

physical features such as marker beds, coal
seam, rare minerals, rare minerals, among
others).

The discovery of correlation was based on

specific fossils found in certain layers of
rocks.
WHAT PRINCIPLE CAN BE OBSERVED?
WHAT STRATIGRAPHIC PRINCIPLES CAN BE APPLIED?

Pubellier et al 1999
https://www.ck12.org/earth-science/uniformitarianism/lesson/Principle-of-Uniformitarianism-HS-ES/