Sedimentary facies are identified by their characteristic elements of lithology and paleontology. The environmental concepts represented by these characteristic elements constitute the stratigraphic components. The distribution of the components, spatially at a particular stratigraphic level and temporally through stratigraphic sequence, determines the facies structure. The stratigraphic facies components define a characteristically unique steady-state at any stratigraphic level. If a particular level is analyzed systematically in relation to the total temporal-spatial system, the results form a systematically organized pattern correlative with the integrative properties of the previous and subsequent stratigraphic systems. Each system has general and specific characteris ics, represented in a form of unified characteristic information concerning the particular component.

Stratigraphic analysis assumes that elements, members, and sets of spatial and temporal systems are unique. Uniqueness has exactness if any of the numerical orders is applied to it. Numerical values of the two systems form a framework through which the stratigraphic components are interwoven forming a higher order structure, based on the stratigraphic system theory.

Functional classification is based on the principle of the motions and movements of figures throughout the structure dimensioned from the outside of the system of functions. Within the system of functions, components are grouped by their functional characteristic properties. Movement of each group of stratigraphic components throughout the lattice has defined meanings in relation to stratigraphic system theory. The value of a related meaning dimensions the component and partly completes the structure. The additional two projections make the facies structure complete, built by the projection of factors that make the cluster with its specific characteristics related to a particular facies.

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