In geology, a facies (/ˈfeɪʃɪ.iːz/ FAY-shih-eez, US also /ˈfeɪʃiːz/ FAY-sheez; same pronunciation and spelling in the plural) is a body of rock with specified characteristics, which can be any observable attribute of rocks (such as their overall appearance, composition, or condition of formation), and the changes that may occur in those attributes over a geographic area.A facies encompasses all of the characteristics of a rock including its chemical, physical, and biological features that distinguish it from adjacent rock.