For instance, sedimentation of a lake or ocean can display layers, which are indicative of a time series. Living organisms can also produce rhythmic growth patterns. The process of development of growth patterns is never continuous. There are interruptions in their development that will pause the growth. In many organisms, growth patterns develop due to the interrupted development.
Clam shells add many layers to their shell each year in response to environmental changes.
Tortoises have increment layers on their shell and elephants have layers in their tusks.