Of the many unconformities (gaps) observed in geological strata, the term Great Unconformity is frequently applied to either the unconformity observed by James Hutton in 1787 at Siccar Point in Scotland, or that observed by John Wesley Powell in the Grand Canyon in 1869. Both instances are exceptional examples of where the contacts between sedimentary strata and either sedimentary or crystalline strata of greatly different ages, origins, and structure represent periods of geologic time sufficiently long to raise great mountains and then erode them away.
Powell's Unconformity viewed from Lipan Point on the South Rim. Rocks of the Unkar Group of the Grand Canyon Supergroup are truncated at the base of the Tonto Group
Powell's Unconformity seen from Hopi Point on the South Rim. Steeply foliated and veined schists of the Vishnu Basement Rocks truncated at the base of the Tonto Group
An exposure of Powell's Great Unconformity, west of Montezuma, New Mexico
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. The significance of angular unconformity was shown by James Hutton, who found examples of Hutton's Unconformity at Jedburgh in 1787 and at Siccar Point in Berwickshire in 1788, both in Scotland.
Hutton's Unconformity at Jedburgh, Scotland, illustrated by John Clerk in 1787 and photographed in 2003.
Disconformity
Nonconformity
Angular unconformity