zone

1. An area or region of latitudinal character. 2. A belt, layer, band, or strip of earth material such as rock or soil. 3. An interval or unit of rock differentiated from surrounding rocks on the basis of its fossil content or other features, such as faults or fractures. For example, a fracture zone contains numerous fractures. A biostratigraphic zone contains a particular fossil or fossils.

Related terms:

• fault zone
• shear zone
• Zone of Saturation
• frontal zone
• Zone of Aeration
• zone of cementation
• Benioff zone
• inshore zone
• oil zone