Bed (geology)

A bank referred to in geology a rock layer with thicknesses in the centimeter to meter range, from which they differ in their individual characteristics (color, texture, material ) immediately above and below layers deposited. The term is mainly used when such a layer of the rock mass stands out clearly because is those over and under layers deposited in the digestion accentuated by weathering Schichtfuge. A larger rock body which is predominantly composed of such seats is designated as gebankt. The construction of a rock body from banks or which in this context peculiarities are called Bankung. Benches or Bankung found mainly in sedimentary rocks (including unconsolidated sediments ) and pyroclastics, less common in lava rock.

In the lithostratigraphy is the bank or location (Latin stratum, Eng. Bed, layer, or abbreviated Bk Lg ) is defined as the smallest mappable unit, but only particularly conspicuous, laterally extensive aushaltende and thus stratigraphically most important banks with own provided names and reported as a formal lithostratigraphic units. For details, see → Bank ( stratigraphy ).

Do not confuse the bank designated by the gravel or sand bank, which together purged sediment at the ground surface or at the bottom of water bodies in the geological sense.