Disconformity vs. Unconformity — What's the Difference?

(Geology) A type of unconformity in which the rock layers are parallel.

An unconformity is a buried erosional or non-depositional surface separating two rock masses or strata of different ages, indicating that sediment deposition was not continuous. In general, the older layer was exposed to erosion for an interval of time before deposition of the younger layer, but the term is used to describe any break in the sedimentary geologic record.

Refusal or failure to conform; nonconformity.

Lack of conformity; nonconformity.

(geology) A type of unconformity in which erosion or lack of deposition has occurred between two parallel sedimentary strata.

(Geology) A surface between successive strata representing a missing interval in the geologic record of time, and produced either by an interruption in deposition or by the erosion of depositionally continuous strata followed by renewed deposition.

(religion) nonconformity

(nonstandard) A lack of conformity.

Want of conformity or correspondence; inconsistency; disagreement.

(geology) A gap in the stratigraphic record at a site, resulting from erosion having outpaced deposition over the interval in question.

Want of conformity; incongruity; inconsistency.

Want of parallelism between strata in contact.