94 12.2 Folding — Physical Geology – 2nd Edition

Figure 12.2.1 Examples of different types of folds and fold nomenclature. Axial planes are only shown for the antiforms, but synforms also have axial planes.

Figure 12.2.2 An isoclinal recumbent fold.

A very tight fold, in which the limbs are parallel or nearly parallel to one another is called an isoclinal fold (Figure 12.2.2). Isoclinal folds that have been overturned to the extent that their limbs are nearly horizontal are called recumbent folds.

Folds can be of any size, and it’s very common to have smaller folds within larger folds (Figure 12.2.3).  Large folds can have wavelengths of tens of kilometres, and very small ones might be visible only under a microscope.

Figure 12.2.3 Folded limestone (grey) and chert (rust-coloured) in Triassic Quatsino Formation rocks on Quadra Island, B.C.  The image is about 1 metre across.

Antiforms are not necessarily, or even typically, expressed as ridges in the terrain, nor synforms as valleys. Folded rocks get eroded just like all other rocks and the topography that results is typically controlled mostly by the resistance of different layers to erosion (Figure 12.2.4).

Figure 12.2.4 Example of the topography in an area of folded rocks that has been eroded. In this case the blue and green rocks are most resistant to erosion, and are represented by hills.

Figure 12.2.5 shows folding in the same area of the Rocky Mountains as Figure 12.0.1.  Describe the types of folds using the appropriate terms from above (symmetrical, asymmetrical, isoclinal, overturned, recumbent etc.).  You might find it useful to first sketch in the axial planes.

Figure 12.2.5

See Appendix 3 for Exercise 12.1 answers.

Media Attributions

• Figures 12.2.1, 12.2.2, 12.2.3, 12.2.4, 12.2.5: © Steven Earle. CC BY.

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