physical examination
concepts
A body of soil, sediment or rock with characteristics that are distinct from those of adjacent bodies. The term is widely used with regard to sediments and sedimentary rocks, in which a facies can be characterised by its lithology, geometry, sedimentary structures, palaeocurrents and fossils (see biofacies, ichnofacies, lithofacies). [Source: Encyclopedia of Environmental Change; facies]
facies