What is a principle of original lateral continuity?
The principle of lateral continuity states that layers of sediment initially extend laterally in all directions; in other words, they are laterally continuous. As a result, rocks that are otherwise similar, but are now separated by a valley or other erosional feature, can be assumed to be originally continuous.
What is lateral continuity?
The Law of Lateral Continuity suggests that all rock layers are laterally continuous and may be broken up or displaced by later events. This can happen when a river or stream erodes a portion of the rock layers. This can also happen when faulting occurs.
Who proposed the principles of lateral continuity original horizontality and superposition?
Steno's laws of stratigraphy describe the patterns in which rock layers are deposited. The four laws are the law of superposition, law of original horizontality, law of cross-cutting relationships, and law of lateral continuity. Nicolaus Steno was a 17th-century Danish geologist.
Who wrote the principle of inclusions?
Charles LyellThis is a restatement of Charles Lyell's original principle of inclusions and components from his 1830 to 1833 multi-volume Principles of Geology, which states that, with sedimentary rocks, if inclusions (or clasts) are found in a formation, then the inclusions must be older than the formation that contains them.
Who is the father of geology?
naturalist James HuttonThe Scottish naturalist James Hutton (1726-1797) is known as the father of geology because of his attempts to formulate geological principles based on observations of rocks.
What is law of Original Horizontality?
The Principle of Original Horizontality states: Layers of rocks deposited from above, such as sediments and lava flows, are originally laid down horizontally.
What is the principles of original horizontality and lateral continuity?
Original horizontality: Sediments are deposited in fairly flat, horizontal layers. If a sedimentary rock is found tilted, the layer was tilted after it was formed. Lateral continuity: Sediments are deposited in continuous sheets that span the body of water that they are deposited in.
Who made the first clear statement of the law of superposition when?
In 1669 Nicolaus Steno made the first clear statement that strata (layered rocks) show sequential changes, that is, that rocks have histories. From his work in the mountains of western Italy, Steno realized that the principle of superposition in stratified (layered) rocks was the key to linking time to rocks.
What is Steno's principle of superposition?
The first and most important of Steno's principles seems laughably apparent today, but it was far from obvious at the time. Known as the “principle of superposition,” it states that the sediment layers are deposited in sequence, with the oldest layers on the bottom and newest layers on top.
Who first proposed the theory of uniformitarianism?
James HuttonJames Hutton. Along with Charles Lyell, James Hutton developed the concept of uniformitarianism. He believed Earth's landscapes like mountains and oceans formed over long period of time through gradual processes.
What is the law of crosscutting?
Described by Scotsman James Hutton (1726 - 1997), the Law of Crosscutting Relationships stated that if a fault or other body of rock cuts through another body of rock then it must be younger in age than the rock through which it cuts and displaces.
What is the principle of inclusions?
The principle of inclusions states that any rock fragments that are included in rock must be older than the rock in which they are included. For example, a xenolith in an igneous rock or a clast in sedimentary rock must be older than the rock that includes it (Figure 8.6).
What is lateral continuity?
Picture from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah. The principle of lateral continuity states that layers of sediment initially extend laterally in all directions; in other words, they are laterally continuous. As a result, rocks that are otherwise similar, but are now separated by a valley or other erosional feature, ...
What is lateral variation in sediment within a stratum?
The lateral variation in sediment within a stratum is known as sedimentary facies . If sufficient sedimentary material is available, it will be deposited up to the limits of the sedimentary basin. Often, the sedimentary basin is within rocks that are very different from the sediments that are being deposited. ...
Do sedimentary layers extend indefinitely?
Layers of sediment do not extend indefinitely; rather, the limits can be recognized and are controlled by the amount and type of sediment available and the size and shape of the sedimentary basin. As long as sediment is transported to an area, it will eventually be deposited.
