A rhythmite consists of layers of sediment or sedimentary rock which are laid down with an obvious periodicity and regularity. They may be created by annual processes such as seasonally varying deposits reflecting variations in the runoff cycle, by shorter term processes such as tides, or by longer term processes such as periodic floods.
Rhythmites serve a significant role in unraveling prehistoric events, providing insights into sea level change, glaciation change, and Earth's orbital variations which serve to answer questions about climate change.