Principle of lateral continuity
In today's world, Principle of lateral continuity is a topic that has gained more and more relevance in society. With the passage of time, the importance of Principle of lateral continuity has become evidently crucial in different areas, from the personal to the professional level. More and more people are interested in learning about Principle of lateral continuity and how it impacts their lives. That is why in this article we will explore in detail everything related to Principle of lateral continuity, from its origins to its influence today. In addition, we will analyze its role in different contexts and how we can adapt to the changes that Principle of lateral continuity presents. Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery about Principle of lateral continuity and its impact on our society!
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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.
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. However, as the amount of material lessens away from the source, the layer of that material will become thinner.
Often, coarser-grained material can no longer be transported to an area because the transporting medium has insufficient energy to carry it to that location. In its place, the particles that settle from the transporting medium will be finer-grained, and there will be a lateral transition from coarser- to finer-grained material. 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. In those cases, the lateral limits of the sedimentary layer will be marked by an abrupt change in rock type.
References
- ^ In, Geology. "The Principle of Lateral Continuity". Retrieved 2018-04-10.
Geologic principles and processes | ||
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| Stratigraphic principles |  | |
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