Biostratigraphy is the use of fossils in stratigraphy.

It relies on the study of in situ fossil distributions to allow recognition of stratigraphically restricted and geographically widespread taxa or populations, which enables subdivision and correlation of lithostratigraphical successions. Such taxa may be selected as index fossils and used as the basis of biostratigraphical correlation one of the stratigrapher's most powerful tools for correlating Phanerozoic sequences. The basic unit of biostratigraphy is the biozone, which is formally described in terms of its fossil indices and content. Biozones are then ordered in stratigraphical position ultimately to allow correlation of lithostratigraphical units. Biozones can be of any thickness or duration. They can be local to world-wide in scale. Chronostratigraphy (time-rock stratigraphy) is the branch of stratigraphy concerned with the application of t ime to rock successions, the ultimatel goal of which is the establishment of a globally applicable standard time-scale. The chronostratigraphical scale originated as a relative one which was been built up, like a jig-saw puzzle, over the last two centuries, primarily through the application of biostratigraphy. Reliable numerical ages have been added gradually to form a parallel, numerical time-scale based on years. Magnetostratigraphy is a geophysical correlation technique used to date sedimentary and volcanic sequences. The method works by collecting oriented samples at measured intervals throughout the section. The samples are analyzed to determine their characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM), that is, the polarity of Earth's magnetic field at the time a stratum was deposited. This is possible because volcanic flows acquire a thermoremanent magnetization and sediments acquire a depositional remanent magnetization, both of which reflect the direction of the Earth's field at the time of formation. Lithostratigraphy is the scientific study and categorization of rock strata based on their lithology (color, texture, and composition). Lithostratigraphical units are sedimentary or igneous units that conform to the Law of Superposition. Lithostratigraphy embraces the description, definition and naming of these units, as well as their correlation. Definitions 1. Stratigraphy Latin stratum and then Greek gaphia Descriptive science of strata or science of rock strata. It concerns with: Original succession and age relations of rock strata, Lithologic composition, form, distributin, fossil content, geophysical properties, environment (mode of origin) of deposition, geologic history. 2. Stratum Layer of rock characterized by certain unifying characters, properties or attributes that distinguish it from adjacent layers. Adjacent strata may be separated by visible planes of bedding. Perceptible boundaries of change in lithology, mineralogy, fossil content, chemical composition, physical properties, age. 3. Stratigraphic Classification Systematic organization of Earth rock strata, as they are found in their original sequence, into units with reference to any of the characters 4. Stratigraphic units A stratigaphic unit is a stratum or assemblage of adjacent strata recognized as a unit in the classification of Earths rock sequence, with respect to any of the many characters, properties or attributes that rock posses. 5. Stratigraphic Terminology Unit-term, such as formation, stage, biozone. It can be formal (Madhupur Clay Formation) and informal (chalky formation). 6. Stratigraphic Nomenclature Proper names given to specific stratigraphic unit Jurassic System, Trenton Formation.

7. Stratotype A designated type in a specific sequence of rock strata. 8. Zone Minor stratigraphic interval in any category of stratigraphic classification. Lithozones, biozones, chronozones. 9. Interval A stratigraphic interval is the body of strata between two stratigraphic markers. 10. Horizon A stratigraphic horizon is an interface of a particular position in a stratigraphic sequence. Stratotypes 1. Stratotypes or Type Section The original or subsequenty designated type of a named stratigraphic uni or of a stratigraphic boundary, identified as a specific interval or a specific point in a specific sequence of rock strata, and constituting the standard for definition and recognition of the stratigraphic unit or boundary. 2. Unit-Stratotype The type section of strata serving as the standard for definition and recognition of stratigraphic unit. 3. Boundary-Stratotype The upper and lower limit of a unit-stratotype are called boundary-stratotype. 4. Composite-Stratotype A unit-stratotype formed by the combination of several specified type intervals of strata known as componentstratotype. Thus a certain lithostratigraphic unit may not be entirely exposed in any single section. One section may designate the lower part of the unit and other section may represent the upper part of the unit. One of the sections should be called as the holostratype and the other a parastratotype. 5. Hypostratotype Unit-stratotype section is often usefully supplemented by designating in other geographic areas. It may better exposed and more easily accessible than the original unit section. This is called hypostratotype or reference section. 6. Type locality and Type area The type locality of a stratigraphic unit, boundary or other feature is the specific geographic locality in which stratotype is situated, or lacking a designated stratotype, the locality where it was originally defined or named. Surrounding the type locality is the type area or type region. It is very difficult to find a unit-stratotype in one locality. 7. Description Description of a stratotype should be both geographic and geologic. The description should enable anyone to find the stratotype readily in the field. Geographical extention, mapping of sections and exposures, photographs, etc. Geologic descriptions should cover thickness of unit-stratotype, lithology, palaeontology, mineralogy, structure, geomorphic expression and other geologic fatues of the nit section.

7. Identification and Marking A stratotype should be clearly marked 8. Accessibility It should be situated in an area geographically accessible to all who are interested to visit, regardess of political or other circumstances. 9. Acceptability It should accepted by the highest body, locally or internationally.

Lithostratigraphic Units Purpose of lithostratigraphic classification Purpose of lithostratigraphic classification is to organize systematically rock strata of the Earth into named units that will represent the principal bariations of these rocks in lthologic character.

Definitions 1. Lithostratigraphy The element of stratigraphy that deals with the lithology of strata and with their organization into units based on lithologic character. 2. Lithostratigraphic classification The organization of rock strata into units on the basis of their lithologic character. 3. Lithostratigraphic unit A body of rock strata that is unified by consisting dominantly or certain lithologic type or combination of lithologic types, or by possessing other impressive and unifying lithologic features. 4. Lithostratigraphic zone Informal lithostatigraphic unit. Shaly zone in the lower part of Parker Formation, , coal bearng zone etc. Kinds of Lithostratigraphic units. a. Group, b. Formation, c. Member and d. Bed. Group may be divided into Subgroup and Suppergroup Complex A complex is a lithostratigraphic unit composed of diverse types of any class or classes of rock (sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic) and characterized by highly complicated structure to the extend that the original sequence of the component rocks may be obscured. Lewisian Complex. The rank may be equivalent to Group, Formation or Member. Basement Complex.

Procedure for establishing Lithostratigraphic units 1. Stratotype as Standard of Definition Rank should have precise and clear standard definition based the fullest possible knowledge of its lateral and vertical variations. Designation of a type section (unit-stratotype is essential. 2. Reference section (Hypostratotype) Despite of Type section or unit stratotype in the type area, the Hypostratotype or reference Section may be useful where the deposits are better exposed. 3. Boundaries Boundaries should be well defined. Upper and Lower Boundaries should be well defined by Boundary Stratotypes. Thick of the lithostratigraphic Unit should be clearly mentioned. Gradational boundaries variation of lithology changes of palaeotological or fossil evidences. 4. Unconformities or Hiatus Lithostratigraphic Correlation 1. Use of Indirect Evidences for Identificaton of Unit and their Boundaries. -lithologic composition, geomorphic expression, electric log character 2. Barker Beds Used as Boundaries Naming of Lithostratigraphic Unit 1. Geographic component of Name 2. Duplication should be avoided 3. Names for part of Units 4. Spelling 5. Changes in Geographic Names - Disappearance of geographic feature does not entail change of corresponding name of a stratigraphic unit.

6. Inappropriate Names - London Formation in Wales should not be used. 7. Preservation of Traditional names.