Lithostratigraphy

Lithostratigraphy is the study of lithology and the description and nomenclature of the rocks of the Earth based on their lithology and their stratigraphic relations.

Lithology is the analysis of the composition of rocks and their texture.

Lithostratigraphic classification employs the organization of rock bodies into specific units based on their composition and texture and their stratigraphic relations, i.e. their position relative to other units.

A body of rocks is defined as a lithostratigraphic unit on the basis of its lithologic properties or combination of lithologic properties and stratigraphic relations. A lithostratigraphic unit may consist of sedimentary, or igneous, or metamorphic rocks and is defined and recognized by observable physical features. These units are not defined by age, the time span they represent, geologic history, nor the manner in which they were formed. They are defined entirely by their continuity and the extent of their lithologic features.

Interdisciplinary links in Citizendium

• Age (geology)
• Biostratigraphy
• Chronostratigraphy,
• Earth science
• Geologic ages of earth history
• Geochronometry
• Geochronology
• Geologic time scale
• Hydrology
• Magnetostratigraphy
• Palynology
• Stage (geology)
• Stratigraphy