synclinal

[ sin-klahyn-l, sing-, sing-kli-nl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

sloping downward from opposite directions so as to meet in a common point or line.
Geology.
1. inclining upward on both sides from a median line or axis, as a downward fold of rock strata.
2. pertaining to such a fold.

1825–35; syn- + Greek klī́n ( ein ) to lean ¹ + -al ¹

Many such synclinal mountains or plateaus, separated by narrower anticlinal valleys, occur throughout the Appalachians.

The high synclinal coal-field forms the most important feature of the north of the county.

Take, for example, one of the synclinal folds in the Appalachian chain.

If an anticlinal arch be a weak structure, a synclinal arrangement of strata is quite the opposite.

Synclinal strata therefore endure, while anticlinal strata are worn more readily away.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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