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Fold identification and geology

A bend or curvature in originally planar geological surfaces bedding, foliation, or veins produced by ductile deformation under compressive or shear stress. Folds are described by their geometry: anticlines arch upward , synclines trough downward , monoclines step-like , recumbent overturned , isoclinal parallel limbs , and chevron angular hinges . Fold analysis is fundamental to understanding the deformation history of orogenic belts. Field: structural geology. Example: The Valley and Ridge Province of the Appalachians consists of a series of parallel anticlines and synclines in Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, forming ridges and valleys that extend for hundreds of kilometers.. Related terms: Anticline, Syncline, Fold axis, Orogeny.

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T15:19:41.999576+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • USGS Thesaurus — U.S. Geological Survey. Controlled earth-science terminology used to describe USGS information resources.
  • Glossary of Geologic Terms — U.S. National Park Service. Geologic definitions prepared by the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory.

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Common questions

What does Fold mean in geology?
A bend or curvature in originally planar geological surfaces bedding, foliation, or veins produced by ductile deformation under compressive or shear stress. Folds are described by their geometry: anticlines arch upward , synclines trough downward , monoclines step-like , recumbent overturned , isoclinal parallel limbs , and chevron angular hinges . Fold analysis is fundamental to understanding the deformation history of orogenic belts.
What is an example of Fold?
The Valley and Ridge Province of the Appalachians consists of a series of parallel anticlines and synclines in Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, forming ridges and valleys that extend for hundreds of kilometers.
Which earth-science field uses the term Fold?
Fold is used in structural geology.
Which terms are related to Fold?
Related terms in this reference are Anticline, Syncline, Fold axis, Orogeny.

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