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Overview

Strata layers control the vertical layering of underground materials in Substratum. The strata system determines where stone transitions to deepslate and where bedrock generates at the top and bottom of the world. All strata configuration is found in substratum_meta.yml under the strata section.

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Strata System

Substratum’s strata system consists of three main layers:

Deepslate

Gradual transition from stone to deepslate in deep underground areas

Bottom Bedrock

Unbreakable bedrock layer at the bottom of the world

Top Bedrock

Bedrock ceiling at the top of the world (for fully underground worlds)

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Deepslate Configuration

The deepslate layer creates a gradual transition from stone to deepslate as you descend underground.

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Deepslate Top

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strata.deepslate.top
integer
default:"7"
Y-level where deepslate begins to mix with stone. Above this level, terrain is 100% stone. At and below this level, deepslate starts appearing.Default: 7Effect: Higher values mean deepslate appears closer to the surface. Lower values push deepslate deeper underground.

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Deepslate Bottom

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strata.deepslate.bottom
integer
default:"-7"
Y-level where all stone is fully replaced by deepslate. Below this level, terrain is 100% deepslate (before bedrock).Default: -7Effect: The range between top and bottom creates a gradient transition zone.
Example Configuration: 
strata:
  deepslate:
    top: 7      # Deepslate starts mixing with stone at Y=7
    bottom: -7  # Full deepslate below Y=-7

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How Deepslate Transition Works

1

Above Top Level (Y > 7)

100% stone - no deepslate generates
2

Transition Zone (Y = 7 to -7)

Gradual mix of stone and deepslate, with more deepslate as you go deeper
3

Below Bottom Level (Y < -7)

100% deepslate - no stone generates (until bedrock layer)

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Bedrock Configuration

Bedrock layers create unbreakable boundaries at the top and bottom of the world.

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Bottom Bedrock

The bottom bedrock layer prevents players from falling into the void.
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strata.bedrock.top
integer
default:"-60"
Y-level where bedrock begins to replace deepslate at the bottom of the world.Default: -60
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strata.bedrock.bottom
integer
default:"-64"
Y-level where all deepslate is fully replaced by bedrock. This is typically the world’s minimum Y-level.Default: -64 (Minecraft’s minimum Y-level)
Example Configuration: 
strata:
  bedrock:
    top: -60    # Bedrock starts at Y=-60
    bottom: -64 # Solid bedrock at Y=-64

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Top Bedrock

The top bedrock layer creates a ceiling for fully underground worlds.
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strata.bedrock-top.top
integer
default:"319"
Highest Y-level where bedrock generates at the world ceiling.Default: 319 (just below Minecraft’s maximum Y-level)
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strata.bedrock-top.bottom
integer
default:"316"
Y-level where the bedrock ceiling begins. Between this and top, bedrock gradually fills in.Default: 316
Example Configuration: 
strata:
  bedrock-top:
    top: 319    # Solid bedrock ceiling at Y=319
    bottom: 316 # Bedrock starts at Y=316
The top bedrock layer is primarily used in standalone Substratum worlds. When using drop-in merge with surface worlds, you may want to disable or adjust this layer.

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Complete Strata Configuration

Here’s the complete default strata configuration from substratum_meta.yml:
substratum_meta.yml
strata:
  # Deepslate layer - gradual transition from stone to deepslate
  deepslate:
    top: 7      # Stone starts becoming deepslate
    bottom: -7  # Fully deepslate below this point
  
  # Bottom bedrock - prevents void fall
  bedrock:
    top: -60    # Bedrock begins
    bottom: -64 # Solid bedrock floor
  
  # Top bedrock - creates underground world ceiling
  bedrock-top:
    top: 319    # Solid bedrock ceiling
    bottom: 316 # Bedrock starts appearing

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Palette Integration

The strata configuration is automatically integrated into terrain palettes through meta-configuration:

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Palette Top

palette-top:
  - BLOCK:minecraft:bedrock: $substratum_meta.yml:strata.bedrock-top.top
This adds the top bedrock layer to every terrain palette.

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Palette Bottom

palette-bottom:
  - DEEPSLATE: $substratum_meta.yml:strata.deepslate.top
  - BEDROCK: $substratum_meta.yml:strata.bedrock.top
  - BLOCK:minecraft:bedrock: $substratum_meta.yml:strata.bedrock.bottom
This adds the deepslate transition and bottom bedrock to every terrain palette.

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Palette Bedrock

palette-bedrock:
  - BEDROCK: $substratum_meta.yml:strata.bedrock.top
  - BLOCK:minecraft:bedrock: $substratum_meta.yml:strata.bedrock.bottom
Used for palettes that define their own deepslate variants (like biome-specific deepslate).

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Common Configuration Scenarios

To make deepslate appear closer to the surface:
strata:
  deepslate:
    top: 32     # Deepslate starts at Y=32
    bottom: 16  # Fully deepslate below Y=16
This creates a more prominent deepslate layer visible in upper caves.
To push deepslate much deeper underground:
strata:
  deepslate:
    top: -16    # Deepslate starts at Y=-16
    bottom: -32 # Fully deepslate below Y=-32
This keeps most caves in the stone layer.
For an immediate transition without a gradient:
strata:
  deepslate:
    top: 0
    bottom: 0   # Same value = no transition zone
Stone above Y=0, deepslate below, with minimal mixing.
For a very gradual, extended transition:
strata:
  deepslate:
    top: 32     # Start transition at Y=32
    bottom: -32 # End transition at Y=-32
Creates a 64-block tall gradient of stone and deepslate mixing.
For drop-in merge with surface worlds, remove the ceiling:
strata:
  bedrock-top:
    top: 320    # Push above world limit
    bottom: 320 # Effectively disabled
Prevents bedrock ceiling from blocking surface access.
For a more substantial bedrock layer at the bottom:
strata:
  bedrock:
    top: -56    # Start bedrock higher
    bottom: -64 # Standard bottom
Creates an 8-block thick bedrock floor instead of 4 blocks.

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Visual Strata Diagram

Y=319  ████████████████████  <- Top Bedrock (solid)
Y=318  ████████████████████
Y=317  ██▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓██  <- Bedrock transition
Y=316  ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓
       
       ... Cave Space ...
       
Y=7    ████████████████████  <- Stone (deepslate top)
Y=6    ████▓▓▓▓████▓▓▓▓████  <- Stone/Deepslate mix
Y=0    ▓▓▓▓████▓▓▓▓████▓▓▓▓
Y=-7   ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓  <- Deepslate (deepslate bottom)
       
       ... More Cave Space ...
       
Y=-60  ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓  <- Deepslate (bedrock top)
Y=-61  ▓▓▓▓██████▓▓▓▓██████  <- Deepslate/Bedrock mix
Y=-63  ██████████████████▓▓
Y=-64  ████████████████████  <- Bedrock (bedrock bottom)

Legend:
█ = Stone/Bedrock (solid)
▓ = Deepslate

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Testing Strata Changes

1

Edit Configuration

Modify the strata section in substratum_meta.yml with your desired Y-levels.
2

Reload Terra

Apply changes with /terra reload or by restarting your server.
3

Generate New Chunks

Strata settings only affect newly generated chunks. Travel to unexplored areas or create a new test world.
4

Verify Layers

Use F3 debug screen to check your Y-coordinate and verify materials match your configuration at the expected levels.
Changing strata configuration after world generation creates sharp boundaries between old and new chunks, as the material layers will suddenly change at chunk borders.

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Technical Details

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How Transitions Work

Both deepslate and bedrock use a transition zone between their top and bottom values:
  • The transition is not linear - it uses noise functions to create natural-looking mixing
  • Blocks in the transition zone have a probability of being either material based on Y-level
  • Closer to top = more of the upper material (stone or deepslate)
  • Closer to bottom = more of the lower material (deepslate or bedrock)

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Palette System Integration

Strata settings are applied through Terra’s palette system, which defines material distributions:
  1. Each biome has a terrain palette
  2. Palettes include references to strata Y-levels
  3. When terrain generates, the palette consults strata configuration
  4. Materials are placed according to Y-level and strata rules
This system allows biomes to have unique terrain while respecting global strata boundaries.

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Next Steps

Biome Distribution

Configure biome scales and Y-level ranges

Disabling Biomes

Control which biomes spawn in your world

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