Stratigraphy

Lesson
1 Rock Layers
Are the current features of the Earth the same as they were 4.6 billion years ago?
Well, the answer is no. The Earth had undergone geological alterations and
evolutionary processes that changed its features. The exogenic and endogenic
processes that happened on the surface and within the inner portion of the Earth
may contribute to these alterations that occurred. The rocks are being studied by
geologists because they contain clues of what the Earth had been in the past.
In this module, the formation of rock strata will be determined including the order
of rock layers, the manner on how rock layers are formed or deformed due to
physical factors and the age of rocks using the relative and absolute dating method.
What’s In
Before proceeding to the content of this module, let us first have a review on the
learnings that you gained in our previous lesson related to rocks and rock cycle.
Try to complete the rock cycle using the terms and the processes given. Write the
term/s in the box/circles and processes/events in between the arrows to show the
connections in the rock cycle.
What’s New
If you will be given a cake for your birthday, how many layers do you wish to have?
How many flavors do you want? What will be the order of flavor in each layer?
If you apply pressure on cakes, it will be deformed, flattened, or twisted. Just like
the layers in the cake, rocks can also form layers due to sediments deposited on
rocks or some forces that act on it which causes its deformation. These are forces
that may bring alteration to rock layers or the change in its formation in the Earth’s
surface.
What is It
The idea behind the concept that the Earth is billions of years old originated in the
work of James Hutton. Hutton concluded that there are forces that change the
landscape of the Earth in the past. This conclusion is based on his observation in
the geological processes that were taking place in his farm.
His Principle of Uniformitarianism states that the current geologic processes, such
as volcanism, erosion, and weathering, are the same processes that were at work in
the past. This idea was refined by other geologists that although the process of the
past and the present are the same, the rates of this process may vary over time.
The Earth’s history was studied using the different records of past events preserved
in rocks. The layers of rocks are like the pages in our history books.
How are rock layers formed?
Stratified rocks, also known as derivatives rock, may be fragmental or crystalline.

These rocks are products of sedimentary processes. These are made of visible layers
of sediments. The formation of rock layers depends on its stratigraphy and
stratification.
Stratigraphy Stratification
It is also known as bedding, which
It is the branch of geology that
is the layering that happens in
deals with the description,
sedimentary and igneous rocks
correlation, and interpretation of
stratified sediments and stratified formed at the surface of the Earth
rocks on and within the Earth. that comes from lava flows or
It is the study of the rock other volcanic activity.
layers(strata). It is expressed by rock layers
Likewise, it will give you clues to (units) of a general tabular or
the location of ancient seas, lenticular form that differ in rock
mountains, plateaus and plains. type.
As early as the mid 1600s, Danish scientist Nicholas Steno studied the relative
position of sedimentary rocks. Sedimentary rocks are formed particle by particle,
bed by bed, and the layers are piled one on top of the other. These rock layers are
also called strata.
Stratigraphic Laws
Stratigraphic laws are basic principles that all geologists use in decoding or
deciphering the spatial and temporal relationships of rock layers. These include the
following: Original Horizontality, Lateral Continuity, Superposition, Cross Cutting,
Law of Inclusions and the Law of Faunal Succession.
Law of Superposition Law ofInclusions
The largest and heaviest rock A rock mass that contains
layer that settled first at the pieces of rocks called
bottom is the oldest rock layer. inclusions are younger than
The lightest and smallest that the other rock masses.
settled last is the youngest rock
layer.
LAWS OF
STRATIGRAPHY
Law of Cross Cutting Law of Original Horizontality

Relationship sediments are deposited in
a fault or dike- a slab rock flat layers, if the rock
cuts through another rock maintains in horizontal
when magma intrudes to the layers, it means it is not yet
rock, that fault or magma is disturbed and still has its
younger than the rock original horizontality
Law of Unconformities Law of Faunal Succession

rock layers that are formed
without interruptions are first recognized by William
conformable. Smith
Describes a layer of rock that different strata contain
have been deformed or eroded assemblage of fossils by which
before another layer is rocks may be identified and
deposited, resulting in rock layer correlated over long distances
mismatching
Figure 1. The Steno’s Law of Stratigraphy
The Law of Stratigraphy shown -in Figure 1 indicates deposition, reshaping and
deformations of the rock layers due to geological processes.
Non -conformity
It originates between sedimentary rocks, metamorphic or
igneous rock when sedimentary rock lies above and was
deposited on the pre-existing and eroded metamorphic or
igneous rock.
What’s More
Activity 1.1 - Who’s Older, Who’s Younger?

The rock layers below labelled A to F undergo a sedimentary process that results
in changes in rock form. Use the diagram of a rock layer below to complete and
answer the questions.
Guide Questions:
1. In what layer was the first rock formed? ________
2. What letter is the second layer of the rock? ________
3. What happens in the rock represented by letter D? (cutting, or insertion)
_______
4. What three layered letters is cut by letter D? ________
5. What takes place in letter F? (fault, folds) ________
6. What environmental factors occur in letter E? (weathering and erosion,
volcanic eruption) ________
7. Which rock layer is the oldest? ________
8. Which rock layer is the youngest? ________
9. Which layer describes the law of horizontal continuity? ________
10. Which layer shows an angular conformity? ________
Activity 1.2 Word Pool

Read the words in the box and the statements below. Fill the blanks with the
words/phrases that best complete the sentences.
cross-cutting sedimentary
erosion stratification
extrusive superposition
fault unconformity
intrusion younger
1. The process in which sedimentary rocks are arranged in layers is called

_________________.
2. The law of _________________ relationship happens when a layer of rocks torn
apart and igneous rock fill in the spaces.
3. On the Earth’s surface, weathering and _________________ make rock fragments.
4. The law of _________________ states that sedimentary rocks are layered from the
oldest to the youngest and oldest rocks are found at the bottom.
5. A/an _________________ is a break in the rocks that make up the Earth’s crust,
along which rocks on either side have moved past each other.
6. A/an _________________ rock is formed when a magma never makes it to the
surface.
7. In the law of _________________ rock was uplifted, eroded from the surrounding
rock, and will be replaced by sediments.
8. A/an _________________ rock is formed by the accumulation, deposition, and
cementation of organic particles or minerals.
9. When lava solidifies upon reaching the surface, it usually forms a/an
_________________ rock in rock layers.
10. Rock that forms intrusions on other rocks is _________________ than the other
rock layer.

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Lesson

How are rock layers formed?

Stratified rocks, also known as derivatives rock, may be fragmental or crystalline.

Law of Cross Cutting Law of Original Horizontality

Law of Unconformities Law of Faunal Succession

Activity 1.1 - Who’s Older, Who’s Younger?

10. Which layer shows an angular conformity? ________

Activity 1.2 Word Pool

1. The process in which sedimentary rocks are arranged in layers is called

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