-Stage 2.1-
Folds
There are many types of fold that a geologist could study. These include:
You should also be aware of how to name folds.
But before going into those, you need to understand some basic geologic map skills.
Geologic Rock Units
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The list on the right is representative of a geologic map legend
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Rocks on maps are listed in age order
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The rocks on the top of the list are the youngest
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The one's on the bottom are the oldest
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This resembles real-life where rocks are deposited, then the "younger rocks" are deposited later on top of them
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These rock units will be used in the proceeding pictures.
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A fold in the rocks resulting in an "A" shape (A for Anticline)
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The top side of the box on the left represents the Earth's surface
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The front of the box shows the type of fold
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The dotted line represents the "fold axis"
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The resulting fold has the oldest rocks in the center
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Then rocks repeat on both side of the center symmetrically
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The width of the units on the surface are equal on both sides of the center unit.
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A fold in the rocks resulting in a "U" shape
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The top side of the box on the left represents the Earth's surface
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The front of the box shows the type of fold
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The dotted line represents the "fold axis"
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The resulting fold has the youngest rocks in the center
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Then rocks repeat on both side of the center symmetrically
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The width of the units on the surface are equal on both sides of the center unit
Plunging Syncline
Plunging Anticline
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The direction of plunge is visible along the side of the blocks
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This changes the symmetrical pattern seen along the surface
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The new pattern is giant curves on the earths surface
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The "arrow" pattern points in the direction of plunge in an anticline
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The "arrow" points in the opposite direction in a syncline
Non-Symmetrical Anticline
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Non-symmetrical folds cause the same rock units to be different widths on either side of the fold axis
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On the surface, Synclines and Anticlines will both have the unequal unit widths in non-symmetrical folds
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On the surface, the side with the thinner outcroppings overlie the steeper portion of the fold
When identifying folds there are 3 types of qualifiers that would normally be used for a complete description:
Anticline or Syncline
Symmetrical or Non-symmetrical
Plunging or Non-plunging
(typically you don't say "non-plunging", you would just leave off that term)
Examples:
Plunging Symmetrical Anticline
Non-symmetrical Syncline