Biostratigraphy

Biostratigraphy is a branch of stratigraphy or the study of rock layers that uses the fossilized remains of plants and animals to determine the age of the layers. It provides incredibly valuable relative age estimations of rocks, enabling geologists to detect changes in sedimentary environments and to date fossilized remains. Biostratigraphy is primarily used in petroleum exploration to identify and map source rocks and reservoir rocks, as well as to aid in well placement. Additionally, it has contributed greatly to the chronological framework for the geological time scale.