Geocoma

Geocoma is a rarely used, largely historical term in geology and paleontology that refers to a type of sedimentary structure characterized by complex, convoluted, and contorted layers within a rock formation. These structures are formed by the deformation of soft sediment, typically shortly after deposition, due to forces such as slumping, sliding, or differential loading. The resulting features can appear as wavy, folded, or otherwise distorted bedding, distinguishing them from primary sedimentary structures formed by the initial depositional process. The term "Geocoma" is not widely used in modern geological literature, with more specific terms such as "slump structures," "contorted bedding," or "soft-sediment deformation structures" being preferred. The original definition and application of the term are somewhat vague and broad, contributing to its declining usage. Modern analysis focuses on identifying the specific mechanisms and processes responsible for the observed deformation features.