On the directional nature of stratigraphic correlation

Abstract

AbstractIn every correlation exercise the diachroneity of the lithostratigraphic boundaries determines the discrepancy between lithostratigraphic correlation and time-correlation. Here it is shown that diachroneity varies in degree as a simple function of the direction in which correlation is made, and hence that stratigraphic correlation must take that direction into account. When the direction of correlation is not known, a sound strategy for time-correlation of lithostratigraphic boundaries is to assume that each is at its most diachronous.