Hydrostratigraphy is the systematic classification and spatial characterization of subsurface geological units based on their hydraulic properties, including permeability, porosity, and groundwater transmission capacity. These units, known as aquifers, aquitards, and aquicludes, define how groundwater moves through and between geological formations, making accurate delineation critical for water resource management and environmental assessment.

In GIS applications, hydrostratigraphic analysis integrates diverse geospatial data sources — including borehole logs, geophysical surveys, digital elevation models, and lithological records — to construct spatially continuous representations of subsurface architecture. Geospatial analysts leverage three-dimensional modeling tools, geostatistical interpolation techniques such as kriging, and raster-based spatial analysis workflows to visualize aquifer geometry, map hydraulic boundaries, and quantify groundwater storage across large geographic extents.

The practical benefits of applying GIS technology to hydrostratigraphy are substantial. Spatial analysis enables precise identification of vulnerable recharge zones, supports contamination risk mapping, and improves groundwater flow modeling accuracy. Decision-makers, environmental engineers, and hydrogeologists rely on these GIS-derived hydrostratigraphic frameworks to guide sustainable water extraction, land-use planning, and regulatory compliance — ultimately transforming complex subsurface data into actionable, spatially referenced intelligence.