Sequence stratigraphy

Sequence stratigraphy is like playing with Lego blocks at the beach to understand how the sea level changes over time. Imagine that the beach is like the Earth's surface, and the Lego blocks are like different layers of rocks that have formed over millions of years.

When the sea level rises, more sand and shells are deposited on the beach, just like more Lego blocks can be added to the pile. When the sea level falls, the beach is exposed to the air, and the sand and shells can dry up and crack.

Similarly, when the sea level rises and falls over thousands or millions of years, layers of rocks are formed, just like stacking layers of Lego blocks. Sequence stratigraphy is a way of interpreting these layers of rocks and figuring out how the sea level has changed over time.

Scientists use different clues to understand these rock layers, such as the types of fossils or sediments found in them. By looking at these clues, scientists can see patterns in the layers of rocks, just like you can see patterns in the pile of Lego blocks on the beach.

Sequence stratigraphy helps scientists understand the history of the Earth's environment and how it has changed over time. It's like reading a storybook about the Earth, but instead of words, it's made up of rocks and fossils!