Few, if any, fundamental disciplines in the earth sciences have seen so many dramatic changes and developments as stratigraphy. The discipline has come to be applied progressively, and indispensably, to nearly all branches of the earth sciences, including such endeavors as charting the course and complexities of life evolution through time, understanding how ancient ecosystems developed and operated, and furnishing data pivotal to exploration and exploitation of strategic mineral resources.

This book aims to incorporate major aspects and essential elements underpinning the modern applications and perspectives of stratigraphy. It focuses on traditional and innovative techniques and how these can be utilized in reconstructing the geological history of sedimentary basins and in solving manifold geological problems and phenomena. Each chapter summarizes contributions by leading researchers in the field. It is hoped that this book will provide the reader with key insights into all these aspects and applications.