Sequence slotting for stratigraphic correlation between cores: theory and practice

Sequence slotting is an objective numerical method which allows stratigraphic records to be compared and matched. Quantitative core correlation can be easily performed using sequence slotting on many types of paleolimnological and geological data. Dynamic programming algorithms have greatly enhanced the speed with which sequence slotting can be carried out.We have further modified the sequence slotting method to limit or even to prevent the formation of long blocks in the slotted sequences. Such blocking or clumping has previously restricted the application of sequence slotting in many practical situations. We have applied the modified dynamic sequence slotting technique, based on common path length summation of Euclidean distances, to magnetic susceptibility data, to isotopic measurements and to palaeomagnetic directions on the sphere.This is the tenth of a series of papers to be published by this journal that was presented in the paleolimnology sessions organized by R.B. Davis for the XIIth Congress of the International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA), which took place in Ottawa, Canada in August 1987. Dr Davis is serving as guest editor of this series.