Final answer:
New layers of sediment compressing older ones into superimposed layers are known as stratification, a process in which sedimentary layers are piled up. This involves the principles of superposition and can be influenced by sea-level changes in sequence stratigraphy.
Step-by-step explanation:
New layers of sediment that cover older ones and compress them into superimposed layers are known as stratification. This process is a fundamental aspect of sedimentary geology and is observed in both sedimentary rocks and igneous rocks formed at the Earth's surface, like lava flows and volcanic fragmental deposits. The burial process describes how sedimentary layers accumulate, with newer sediment burying the older sediment, sometimes by hundreds of meters of sediment above. The principle of superposition states that in undisturbed sequences of sedimentary rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom with each successive layer being younger than the one beneath it.
Sequence stratigraphy also plays a significant role in understanding sedimentary layers as it involves interpreting the relative ages of rock layers based on the sequence of sedimentary strata influenced by sea-level changes. These strata can form as sediment deposits migrate seaward or landward in response to sea-level fall and rise, respectively, and are characterized by features like clinoforms and onlapping. Stratification, which can range from layers called beds to thinner laminations, provides valuable information about Earth's history, including past environments, climate, and sea levels.