Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.10,
No.2, pp. 195-206, 1987
©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press,
Ltd.
SUPERPOSITION AND THE LAW
OF REGULARITY IN STRATAL ORDER--KEYS TO THE PRACTICE AND THEORY
OF GLOBAL STRATIGRAPHY
J. R. Patterson*
* Consulting Petroleum Geologist,
R.R.I, Fulford Harbour, British Columbia, Canada.
Abstract
In petroleum geology, the widespread
practice of mapping lateral variations of lithology within the
confines of general formations instead of time-zones inevitably
provokes differences of opinion over the scope and definition of
stratigraphy. These differences can be traced back to a blending
together of the separate concepts of two founders of geology,
William Smith and Abraham Gottlob Werner. Werner originated a
lithologic definition of rock formations; also, he taught the
concept that the relative ages of formations could be determined
by fossils. Smith contributed to the development of stratigraphy
with his invention of the term 'stratigraphical', which referred
to the occurrence of specific fossils and rock types within units
of strata.
