Stratigraphy

Pronunciation: /strætɪˈɡrəfi/

Definitions of stratigraphy

noun the branch of geology concerned with the order and relative position of strata and their relationship to the geological time scale

Example Sentences

A1 Stratigraphy is the study of rock layers and the sequence of events they represent.

A2 In archaeology, understanding the stratigraphy of a site is crucial for interpreting the history of human activity.

B1 Geologists use stratigraphy to determine the relative ages of rock layers and the history of Earth's formation.

B2 The detailed stratigraphy of the area revealed a complex geological history spanning millions of years.

C1 The stratigraphy of the region provided valuable insights into the tectonic processes that shaped the landscape.

C2 The stratigraphy of the sedimentary rocks showed clear evidence of multiple depositional environments over time.

Examples of stratigraphy in a Sentence

formal The study of stratigraphy helps geologists understand the layers of rock and their relative ages.

informal When we were hiking, we could see the different layers of rock thanks to stratigraphy.

slang I'm really into digging into the stratigraphy of different areas to learn more about their history.

figurative In a way, understanding someone's past is like studying the stratigraphy of their life.

Grammatical Forms of stratigraphy

• past tense: stratigraphied
• plural: stratigraphies
• comparative: more stratigraphic
• superlative: most stratigraphic
• present tense: stratigraphies
• future tense: will stratify
• perfect tense: have stratified
• continuous tense: is stratifying
• singular: stratigraphy
• positive degree: stratigraphic
• infinitive: to stratify
• gerund: stratifying
• participle: stratified

Origin and Evolution of stratigraphy

First Known Use: 1819 year

Language of Origin: Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'stratigraphy' originates from the Greek words 'stratos' meaning 'layer' and 'graphia' meaning 'writing'. It was first used in the context of geology to describe the study of rock layers and their relationships.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'stratigraphy' has come to encompass not only the study of rock layers but also the analysis of their chronological order and the interpretation of Earth's history based on these layers.