Final answer:
Stratigraphy is the branch of geology concerned with studying rock layers (strata) and their history. It includes subfields like lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy, which help geologists understand Earth's geological past.
Step-by-step explanation:
The branch of geology that is concerned with the origin, distribution, and geological history of layered rocks is known as stratigraphy. This field of study focuses on the analysis of strata, or the layers within sedimentary and sometimes layered volcanic rocks. Stratigraphy is an essential part of historical geology and plays a critical role in unraveling the geological past.
Within stratigraphy, there are two significant subfields: lithostratigraphy, which is the study of the physical characteristics of rock layers, and biostratigraphy, which uses fossils within the rock layers to determine their age and the environments in which they were deposited.
These subfields enable geologists to construct a history of the Earth's crust by interpreting the relative ages of rock layers, the types of environments where the rocks were formed, and the geological events that have shaped the landscape over time.
Understanding stratigraphy involves applying principles such as the law of superposition, the principle of original horizontality, and the principle of lateral continuity. These fundamental principles help geologists decipher the chronological order of events that have led to the formation of the stratigraphic record.