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The principle asserts that sediment layers initially extend in all directions until they thin to zero at the edge of the area of deposition or encounter a barrier. This implies that if a sedimentary layer is observed to be discontinuous, one can infer that either the sediment was originally continuous across the area and was later eroded, or that a geological structure (such as a fault) now separates what were once connected sections. For example, imagine a sandstone formation exposed on opposite sides of a valley. Unless there is evidence of a fault or other disruptive geological activity, the principle suggests the sandstone layer was once a continuous sheet spanning the entire valley.

This concept is a fundamental tool in stratigraphy, the branch of geology that studies rock layers and layering. It allows geologists to correlate sedimentary rocks across large distances, reconstruct past environments, and determine the sequence of geological events. Understanding how sediment layers were originally distributed is crucial for resource exploration, such as locating oil and gas deposits, and for assessing geological hazards, such as landslides and earthquakes. Its historical context lies in the early development of geological thought, providing a framework for interpreting the earth’s history based on the observable properties of rock formations.

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