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Stratum

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Title: Stratum  
Author: World Heritage Encyclopedia
Language: English
Subject: Types of volcanic eruptions, Geologic record, Noachian, Hesperian, Unconformity
Collection: Geology Terminology, Methods and Principles in Archaeology, Stratigraphy
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Stratum

Strata in Salta (Argentina).
Goldenville strata in quarry in Bedford, Canada. These are Middle Cambrian marine sediments. This formation covers over half of Nova Scotia and is recorded as being 29,000 feet thick in some areas.

In geology and related fields, a stratum (plural: strata) is a layer of sedimentary rock or soil with internally consistent characteristics that distinguish it from other layers. The "stratum" is the fundamental unit in a stratigraphic column and forms the basis of the study of stratigraphy.

Characteristics

The Permian through Jurassic strata in the Colorado Plateau area of southeastern Utah demonstrates the principles of stratigraphy. These strata make up much of the famous prominent rock formations in widely spaced protected areas such as Capitol Reef National Park and Canyonlands National Park. From top to bottom: Rounded tan domes of the Navajo Sandstone, layered red Kayenta Formation, cliff-forming, vertically jointed, red Wingate Sandstone, slope-forming, purplish Chinle Formation, layered, lighter-red Moenkopi Formation, and white, layered Cutler Formation sandstone. Picture from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah.

Each layer is generally one of a number of parallel layers that lie one upon another, laid down by natural processes. They may extend over [[1 E11 m²|

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