Principle of Lateral Continuity

The Principle of Lateral Continuity states that layers of sediment or rock originally extend in all directions until they thin out or meet a barrier. Essentially, sediment layers are initially laid down in continuous sheets, spreading across an area. Over time, these layers may become interrupted or separated by erosion or other processes, but their original widespread, uniform nature helps geologists reconstruct past environments and the Earth's history. This principle helps scientists understand how layers are related across distances, even if they are now missing or separated in the present landscape.