Biostratigraphy

Biostratigraphy (pronunciation: /ˌbaɪoʊstrəˈtɪɡrəfi/) is a branch of Stratigraphy that uses fossils to date and correlate rock layers. The term "biostratigraphy" was first used in the early 19th century and originates from the Greek words "bios" (life), "stratos" (layer), and "graphein" (to write).

Overview

Biostratigraphy is based on the principle of faunal and floral succession, which states that different fossil species always appear and disappear in the same order, and that once a fossil species goes extinct, it disappears and cannot reappear in younger rocks. This allows for the identification of geologic ages and periods based on the fossils found within a rock layer.

Methods

Biostratigraphers often use index fossils, a type of fossil that is highly distinctive, widespread, and short-lived. These fossils can be used to identify the relative age of the rock layers in which they are found. Other methods include Magnetostratigraphy, which uses changes in the Earth's magnetic field, and Chemostratigraphy, which uses changes in the chemical composition of rock layers.

Applications

Biostratigraphy has been used in the oil and gas industry for decades to help identify the age and environment of deposition of rocks in the subsurface. It is also used in paleontological and archaeological research to date and correlate rock layers and the fossils found within them.

References

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Biostratigraphy
Wikipedia's article - Biostratigraphy

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Biostratigraphy