Strata and Time: Probing the Gaps in Our Understanding

The superposition of stratified rocks is an unmistakable manifestation of the history of sedimentary processes through deep time. However, the relationship between the preserved strata of the rock record and the passage of geological time, indisputable in principle, is unknowable in detail; incompleteness is an essential property of the record. That gaps exist at all scales in sedimentary successions is easily demonstrated from consideration of sediment accumulation rates, and expectations of continuity and completeness at any scale are correspondingly inadvisable. Locating and quantifying the gaps in the record is, however, very much less straightforward. Predictive modelling of strata – essential for their practical exploitation – requires such geohistorical understanding, yet over-simplified assumptions about how time is represented in rock can still lead to inadequate or even false conclusions. The contributions to this volume describe a range of practical studies, theoretical investigations, and numerical experiments in which the nature of the strata–time relationship is explored.
Download citation file:
Table of Contents
-
Strata and time: probing the gaps in our understandingAuthor(s)David G. Smith;David G. Smith115 Stratton Terrace, Truro, UK TR1 3EWSearch for other works by this author on:Robin J. Bailey;Robin J. Bailey22 Eastfield Court, Southwell, UK NG25 0NUSearch for other works by this author on:Peter M. Burgess;Peter M. Burgess3Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, UK TW20 0EXSearch for other works by this author on:Alastair J. FraserAlastair J. Fraser4Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, UK SW7 2AZSearch for other works by this author on:
-
Continuity, completeness, and the Geological Time Scale
-
Updating uniformitarianism: stratigraphy as just a set of ‘frozen accidents’Author(s)Andrew D. MiallAndrew D. MiallDepartment of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3B1 (e-mail: miall@es.utoronto.ca)Search for other works by this author on:
-
GSSPs, global stratigraphy and correlationAuthor(s)Alan G. Smith;Alan G. Smith1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EQ, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Tiffany Barry;Tiffany Barry2Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Paul Bown;Paul Bown3Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UKSearch for other works by this author on:John Cope;John Cope4Department of Geology, National Museum of Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Andy Gale;Andy Gale5School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Burnaby Building, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth PO1 3QL, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Philip Gibbard;Philip Gibbard6Cambridge Quaternary, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Downing Place, Cambridge CB2 3EN, UKSearch for other works by this author on:John Gregory;John Gregory7PetroStrat Ltd., 33 Royston Rd., St. Albans, AL1 5NF, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Mark Hounslow;Mark Hounslow8CEMP, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UKSearch for other works by this author on:David Kemp;David Kemp9Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Robert Knox;Robert Knox10170 Main Street, Asfordby, LE14 3TT, UKSearch for other works by this author on:John Marshall;John Marshall11School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Michael Oates;Michael Oates12BG Group plc., 100 Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1PT, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Peter Rawson;Peter Rawson13CEMS, University of Hull, Scarborough Campus, Filey Road, Scarborough, YO11 3AZ, UKSearch for other works by this author on:John Powell;John Powell14British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Colin WatersColin Waters14British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UKSearch for other works by this author on:
-
-
Gaps, fractals and scaling
-
Scaling laws for aggradation, denudation and progradation rates: the case for time-scale invariance at sediment sources and sinksAuthor(s)Peter M. Sadler;Peter M. Sadler1Department of Earth Science, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USASearch for other works by this author on:Douglas J. JerolmackDouglas J. Jerolmack2Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, 240 S. 33rd Street, Hayden Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6316, USASearch for other works by this author on:
-
The power-law attributes of stratigraphic layering and their possible significanceAuthor(s)Robin J. BaileyRobin J. Bailey2 Eastfield Court, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0NU, United Kingdom (e-mail: bill_robinbailey@hotmail.com)Search for other works by this author on:
-
The importance of doing nothing: stasis in sedimentation systems and its stratigraphic effectsAuthor(s)John C. TipperJohn C. TipperInstitut für Geowissenschaften – Geologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Albertstrasse 23B, D-79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany (e-mail: john.tipper@geologie.uni-freiburg.de)Search for other works by this author on:
-
-
Stratal hierarchies and cycles
-
Investigating the occurrence of hierarchies of cyclicity in platform carbonatesAuthor(s)D. A. Pollitt;D. A. Pollitt1Chevron Corporation, 1500 Louisiana St., Houston, TX, 77018, USASearch for other works by this author on:P. M. Burgess;P. M. Burgess2Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UKSearch for other works by this author on:V. P. WrightV. P. Wright3Department of Natural Sciences, National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NP, UKSearch for other works by this author on:
-
Cyclostratigraphy: data filtering as a source of spurious spectral peaksAuthor(s)Simon Vaughan;Simon Vaughan1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Robin J. Bailey;Robin J. Bailey22 Eastfield Court, Southwell, NG25 0NU, UKSearch for other works by this author on:David G. SmithDavid G. Smith315 Stratton Terrace, Truro, TR1 3EW, UKSearch for other works by this author on:
-
Stratigraphic continuity and fragmentary sedimentation: the success of cyclostratigraphy as part of integrated stratigraphyAuthor(s)Frederik J. Hilgen;Frederik J. Hilgen1Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:Linda A. Hinnov;Linda A. Hinnov2Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, USASearch for other works by this author on:Hayfaa Abdul Aziz;Hayfaa Abdul Aziz3ENRES International, Euclideslaan 201, 3584 BS Utrecht, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:Hemmo A. Abels;Hemmo A. Abels1Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:Sietske Batenburg;Sietske Batenburg4Institute of Geosciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, GermanySearch for other works by this author on:Joyce H. C. Bosmans;Joyce H. C. Bosmans1Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands12Present address: Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:Bas de Boer;Bas de Boer1Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands9Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:Silja K. Hüsing;Silja K. Hüsing5Paleomagnetic Laboratory ‘Fort Hoofddijk’, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 17, 3584 CD Utrecht, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:Klaudia F. Kuiper;Klaudia F. Kuiper6Institute of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:Lucas J. Lourens;Lucas J. Lourens1Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:Tiffany Rivera;Tiffany Rivera7Department of Geosciences, Isotope Geology Lab, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725, USASearch for other works by this author on:Erik Tuenter;Erik Tuenter8Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), P.O. Box 201, 3730 AE De Bilt, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:Roderik S. W. Van de Wal;Roderik S. W. Van de Wal9Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:Jörn-Frederik Wotzlaw;Jörn-Frederik Wotzlaw10Section of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, Rue des Maraìchers 13, CH-1205 Geneva, SwitzerlandSearch for other works by this author on:Christian ZeedenChristian Zeeden11Department of Geography, Wüllnerstr. 5b, RWTH Aachen University, D-52056 Aachen, GermanySearch for other works by this author on:
-
-
Strata and time in the field and subsurface
-
Synthesis of time-stratigraphic relationships and their impact on hydrocarbon reservoir distribution and performance, Bridport Sand Formation, Wessex Basin, UKAuthor(s)Gary J. Hampson;Gary J. Hampson1Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Jenny E. Morris;Jenny E. Morris2Present address: Statoil UK, 1 Kingdom Street, London W2 6BD, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Howard D. JohnsonHoward D. Johnson1Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UKSearch for other works by this author on:
-
4D Wheeler diagrams: concept and applicationsAuthor(s)Farrukh Qayyum;Farrukh Qayyum1dGB Earth Sciences, Nijverheidstraat 11-2, 7511JM, Enschede, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:Paul De Groot;Paul De Groot1dGB Earth Sciences, Nijverheidstraat 11-2, 7511JM, Enschede, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:Nanne Hemstra;Nanne Hemstra2dGB Earth Sciences, 1 Sugar Creek Center Boulevard, Suite 935, Sugar Land, TX, 77478, USASearch for other works by this author on:Octavian CatuneanuOctavian Catuneanu3Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, 1–26 Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:
-
Using the voids to fill the gaps: caves, time, and stratigraphyAuthor(s)Roy E. Plotnick;Roy E. Plotnick1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607, USASearch for other works by this author on:Fabien Kenig;Fabien Kenig1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607, USASearch for other works by this author on:Andrew C. ScottAndrew C. Scott2Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UKSearch for other works by this author on:
-
More gaps than shale: erosion of mud and its effect on preserved geochemical and palaeobiological signalsAuthor(s)João Trabucho-AlexandreJoão Trabucho-AlexandreDepartment of Earth Sciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK (e-mail: J.Trabucho@uu.nl)Current address: Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The NetherlandsSearch for other works by this author on:
-
More gap than record? Qualitative and quantitative assessment of stratigraphic gaps in a field based study, with examples from the Lower Silurian Pentamerus Beds of Shropshire, England and the Lower Ordovician Ribband Gp of County Wexford, IrelandAuthor(s)Joseph D. Crossley;Joseph D. Crossley1Earth Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK, retiredSearch for other works by this author on:Hazel E. ClarkHazel E. Clark2Geography, Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UKSearch for other works by this author on:
-
British Pennsylvanian (Carboniferous) coal-bearing sequences: where is the time?Author(s)Andrew C. Scott;Andrew C. ScottDepartment of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Rosemary S. StephensRosemary S. StephensDepartment of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UKSearch for other works by this author on:
-
Use of carbon accumulation rates to estimate the duration of coal seams and the influence of atmospheric dust deposition on coal compositionAuthor(s)David J. Large;David J. LargeDepartment of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UKSearch for other works by this author on:Chris MarshallChris MarshallDepartment of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UKSearch for other works by this author on:
-