The Collaborative International Dictionary
Anticline \An"ti*cline\, n. [See Anticlinal.] (Geol.) A structure of bedded rocks in which the beds on both sides of an axis or axial plane dip away from the axis; an anticlinal. Contrassted with syncline. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] ||
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Wiktionary
n. (context geology English) A fold with strata sloping downwards on each side.
Wikipedia
thumb |Anticline exposed in road cut (small syncline visible at far right). Note the man standing in front of the formation, for scale. New Jersey, U.S.
In structural geology, an anticline is a type of fold that is an arch-like shape and has its oldest beds at its core. A typical anticline is convex up in which the hinge or crest is the location where the curvature is greatest, and the limbs are the sides of the fold that dip away from the hinge. Anticlines can be recognized and differentiated from antiforms by a sequence of rock layers that become progressively older toward the center of the fold. Therefore, if age relationships between various rock strata are unknown, the term antiform should be used.
The progressing age of the rock strata towards the core and uplifted center, are the trademark indications for evidence of anticlines on a geologic map. These formations occur because anticlinal ridges typically develop above thrust faults during crustal deformations. The uplifted core of the fold causes compression of strata that preferentially erodes to a deeper stratigraphic level relative to the topographically lower flanks. Motion along the fault including both shortening and extension of tectonic plates, usually also deforms strata near the fault. This can result in an asymmetrical or overturned fold.
Usage examples of "anticline".
And our geophysical survey showed an anticline at five thousand five hundred.
The anticline was nothing but the sill of igneous rock that my grandfather had struck in 1913.
The drill might probe lower and lower, boring steadily nearer to the dome of the anticline, but in all our minds was that sense of being trapped, of not being able to get out.
I wanted to make sure we were out of camera range of the anticline first.
I was mad at myself for not seeing the anticline and madder at Carson, and half-sick about what was going to happen when Big Brother saw that log.
Tongue, looking for a way around the anticline, and then gone off wandering up cliffs and in and out of side canyons, searching for the best vantage point to show it to us from.
I could see the bluff that backed the anticline off to the east, too far off the scans to notice anything.
The flying boats were the most effective weapon of all, for they could land on the water and lower their detectors into it to get beneath the anticline of the layered water.
He told the crew there was a lake of oil under there a mile wide, a mile deep and five miles long and that it was on a perfect anticline and would flow for years with never a chance for anybody to suck it out from under them.
In 1913, Charles Gould pointed out that all of Oklahoma's big pools lay under anticlines, and the rush to find anticlines began.
However, the geologist cannot safely assume that hills are anticlines and that valleys or plains are not.
The undulating hills fascinated her as the sharper, young thrusts and anticlines of Fuerte had not.
The undulating hills fascinated her as the sharper, young thrusts and anticlines of Fuerte had not.
Five thousand five hundred feet was the level at which they expected to reach the anticline and hanging over me all the time was the knowledge that it wasn't oil we were going to strike there, but the sill of igneous rock that had stopped Campbell Number One.
While they waited, Watkins and Briscoe passed the minutes discussing anticlines and salt domes.