Stratigraphic base level: An overview

The term base level was presented for the first time by Barrell in 1917, and afterwards evolved into two aspects:geomorphological base level and stratigraphic base level. A periodicity of base level fluctuations may lead to the generation of a base level cycle, which is composed of distinctive petrological units. In other words, various hierarchial architectures of base level cycles formed during geologic times are responsible for the records of lithostratigraphic units. The hierarchial architectures may also depend on the sizes of accommodation spaces and stacking patterns of sediments. Future study should be placed upon the controls on base level including palaeogeographic position, tectonics, climates and geomorphology.