A streamgraph is a variation of a stacked area chart in which the layers are displaced around a central baseline rather than a flat axis, producing a flowing, organic appearance. Parameters: (1) continuous x-axis representing time or an ordinal dimension, (2) one or more quantitative series stacked as layers, (3) a displaced baseline that centers the flow. Persistence: rendered on digital displays, printed materials, and interactive dashboards. [formal: stream graph | substrate: mind | horizon: a moment | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
streamgraph
A streamgraph is a variation of a stacked area chart in which the layers are displaced around a central baseline rather than a flat axis, producing a flowing, organic appearance. Parameters: (1) continuous x-axis representing time or an or…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made data visualization that displays changes in quantities across categories over a continuous interval, with stacked layers displaced around a central baseline to produce a flowing, organic shape rather than a flat baseline.
Names and aliases
- streamgraphen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrwxvdu401posoackz7mbmxqINSTANCE_OF →
Tested INSTANCE_OF: a streamgraph IS a specific kind of stacked area chart. Like a stacked area chart it represents multiple data series as filled areas stacked on top of each other, but instead of straight horizontal baselines it uses organic, flowing curves for each layer edge, giving it a characteristic fountain or river-like appearance.
- cmrwuadcq01dksoacknd5l8nlSERVES →
A streamgraph is built and maintained for the sake of data visualization — its designed purpose is to display multiple data series as flowing stacked areas over time, making patterns and trends visually apparent. The servant (streamgraph) points at the master (data visualization). This is not DEPENDS_ON: data visualization would still operate without streamgraphs; streamgraphs are one tool among many for that purpose.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 23, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 05856c2fd0b49940d763c8a309f86add4a084dff3d07cf51be084194e92155a1