unconformity
Missing rock record
An unconformity is a gap in the geological record where rock layers that should be continuous are interrupted—typically because erosion removed material or deposition simply stopped for a period.
The surface between mismatched strata reveals missing time: The unconformity represents sixty million years of absent rock.
Geologists read these breaks as evidence of ancient environmental changes.
Erosional gap in strata
- time gapPeriod between occurrences
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- regressionReturn to former state
- outcropSurfacing native stone
bedrock · superposition · cross-cutting · stratigraphy · sedimentation · geologic time
Break in activity
- gapUnfilled space between
- breakInterrupt continuity
- intervalDuration between two points
- missing timeUnremembered time span
interruption · pause · discontinuity · lacuna · absence · void · elapsed time
Absence of shared opinion
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- dissonanceLack of harmony
- incongruityLack of harmony
- mismatchIncompatible combination
incompatibility · inconsistency · disparity · variance · discrepancy · contradiction · conflict · tension
Departure from expected path
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- heterodoxyUnorthodox belief or opinion
individuality · resistance · defiance · divergence · departure · unorthodoxy · irregularity · eccentricity
disconformity
Erosional gap in strata
- time gapPeriod between occurrences
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- regressionReturn to former state
outcrop · bedrock · superposition · cross-cutting · stratigraphy · sedimentation · geologic time
hiatus
Break in activity
missing time · interruption · pause · discontinuity · lacuna · absence · void · elapsed time
disagreement
Absence of shared opinion
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- dissonanceLack of harmony
- incongruityLack of harmony
mismatch · incompatibility · inconsistency · disparity · variance · discrepancy · contradiction · conflict · tension · disharmony
deviation
Departure from expected path
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
- rebellionDefiance of established power
heterodoxy · individuality · resistance · defiance · divergence · departure · unorthodoxy · irregularity · eccentricity · iconoclasm
- Geologic Boundariesplate boundary, fault, contact, disconformity, fault line
- geologybedrock, fault lines, faults, rock, basalt
- geologic timeeons, eon, epochs, era, epoch
- sedimentssand, silt, mud, clay, gravel
- stratigraphystrata, rock layers, formations, beds, layers
- Dating Methodsradiocarbon dating, carbon dating, carbon-14 dating, radiometric dating, absolute dating
unconformityconformity
Adherence to norms
conformance · compliance · adherence · convention · orthodoxy
- angular unconformityErosional gap between tilted and flat strata
conform, conformity, conformist, nonconformist, nonconformity, conformable, conformance, conformities, unconformable