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Folds

This document introduces key concepts and terminology related to folds in the Earth's crust. It discusses the main types of folds including anticlines, synclines, antiforms and synforms. It also covers geometric analysis of folds including aspects like hinge zones, fold axes, and axial surfaces. Various fold mechanisms are described such as flexural-slip folding, buckling, and kink folding. Important terminology includes concepts like tightness, recumbent folds, and parallel/concentric versus similar folds.

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anon korne
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84 views33 pages

Folds

This document introduces key concepts and terminology related to folds in the Earth's crust. It discusses the main types of folds including anticlines, synclines, antiforms and synforms. It also covers geometric analysis of folds including aspects like hinge zones, fold axes, and axial surfaces. Various fold mechanisms are described such as flexural-slip folding, buckling, and kink folding. Important terminology includes concepts like tightness, recumbent folds, and parallel/concentric versus similar folds.

Uploaded by

anon korne
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Folds

(p. 372-413)

1) Nomenclature
2) Geometric analysis
3) More nomenclature
4) Fold mechanisms
- flexural-slip folding
- buckling
- kink folding
Why are folds important?
fundamental to deformation of the Earths crust

Sensitive markers to tectonic stresses- everywhere!!


tectonic transport direction
Structural traps for oil
Controls ore geometry in strata-bound deposits
Main types of folds
Anticline: fold that is convex in
the direction of the youngest beds anticline

Syncline: Fold that is convex in syncline


the direction of the oldest beds

*requires that you know facing


direction (direction of youngest synformal
anticline
beds); know stratigraphy!

Antiform: convex up

Synform: convex down antiformal


syncline
*simply describes geometry
Geometric analysis

inflection point: point of


opposing convexity

median surface: imaginary


surface connecting inflection
points

fold width, fold height

symmetrical vs. asymmetrical

concept of vergence
Geometric analysis cont.
hinge zone hinge line: zone of max. curvature

fold axis: imaginary line, which when moved parallel


to itself can define the form of a fold
Geometric analysis cont.

axial surface: surface that passes through


successive hinge lines

axial trace: line of intersection of axial


surface and ground surface

symbology: anticline, syncline, antiform,


synform
names of common fold shapes

Chevron: planar limbs meet


at discrete hinge point
Ptygmatic
Circular fold
"lift-off" fold
symmetrical: median trace and axial trace are perpendicular
asymmetrical: median trace and axial trace intersect at oblique angle

symmetric

asymmetric

symmetric
asymmetric
more terminology
gentle (>90) open (70-120)

isoclinal (~0)

tight (~10)
Regional structures that have limbs
folded by smaller folds
overturned: at least one of the limbs exhibits
overturning, or a downward facing direction
recumbent folds- "lie on their side"
recumbent fold with secondary box folds
parallel/concentric folds: layer thickness does not change (lower T)

similar folds: layer thickness changes; thickening in hinge and


thinning along limbs (higher T)
More descriptive terms?
Cylindrical: well-
defined axial surface

non-cylindrical: too
complex to have a single
well-defined axial surface
monocline: step-like fold, only one limb
folded folds!
Fold mechanisms for "free folds", where fold shapes
depend on layer properties

(1) Flexural-slip folding-


accommodates buckling by layer-parallel
slip

-direction of relative slip is perpendicular to


hinge

-individual displacement small, but sum is


enough to accommodate bending of rock

-marked by strong stiff layers with contacts of


low cohesive strength

-occurs in uppermost levels of crust


minor structures related to flexural-
slip folding
minor structures related to flexural-flow
folding
occur at higher temperature
(2) Kink folding
-Occurs when there is strong cohesion between layers
-Marked by sharp hinge, straight limbs (one short, two long)
Another mechanism: (3) Buckling

-Instability develops when layers of different mechanical


properties are subjected to layer-parallel stresses

-Wavelength depends on layer thickness and stiffness-


thinner layers yield shorter wavelengths

ptygmatic folds:
high competence
contrast

cuspate-lobate
folds: low
competence contrast
Important terminology/concepts
anticline ptygmatic fold
syncline circular fold
fold tightness
antiform
recumbent fold
synform
box fold
anticlinorium
parallel/concentric vs.
synclinorium similar folds
inflection point cylindrical vs. non-
hinge line cylindrical folds
fold axis monocline
symmetrical vs. flexural-slip folding
asymmetrical parasitic folds
axial plane and trace kink folding
chevron fold buckling instability

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