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In geology, interbedding occurs when beds (layers of rock) of a particular lithology lie between or alternate with beds of a different lithology. UCMP glossary ucmp.berkeley.edu Retrieved on- March 2008 For example, sedimentary rocks may be interbedded if there were sea level variations in their sedimentary depositional environment.
Intercalation is a special case of interbedding where a layer is variably inserted into an already existing sequence; or where two separate depositional environments in close spatial proximity migrate alternately across the contact. While interbedding has layers that are horizontally flat (or aligned with the angle of the entire stratum), intercalated rock on the other hand has slanted layers that streak through each other (even when it aligns with the stratum). For example intercalated conglomerate and sandstone looks like ripples of different material networked through each other somewhat off the horizontal, as the beds are deposited in a gradient. This is likely due to differing fluvial conditions and gradual changes in sediment transport over time.
Interbedding often reflects a cyclical change in sedimentation conditions. Lime-marl interbeddings represent the cyclical detachment of a high carbonate production due to the stronger influence of the terrestrial background sedimentation, which is usually attributed Sedimentology to an increase in sea depth and distance from the coast at the time of deposition at the corresponding deposit location. But these can cause alternations by recurring special events, such as the deposition of coarse turbidity current sediments on what would otherwise be a quiet and continuously running background sedimentation. For example, a river that sees regular interrupts in the form of flash floods.
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