Stratigraphic refers to the study of rock layers, or strata, and their organization in the Earth's crust. This field of geology helps scientists understand the history of the Earth, including the age of rocks and the processes that formed them. By examining the sequence and distribution of these layers, researchers can reconstruct past environments and events. The principles of stratigraphy include concepts like superposition, where older layers are found beneath younger ones, and lateral continuity, which suggests that layers extend in all directions until they thin out or encounter a barrier. These principles are essential for dating rocks and understanding geological time.