Question

Describe the methods you would use to tell the difference between an eroded anticline and syncline on a geologic map or in the field. Also, describe how you would determine the plunge direction of each. Be sure to discuss: - the relative age of the rocks exposed, relative to the axis - the dip of the limbs, relative to the axis - methods for determining the plunge of a fold on a map or in the field the type of stress which creates anticlines and synclines

Answer 1

Answer: Syncline and anticline are terms used to describe folds based on the relative ages of folded rock layers. A syncline is a fold in which the youngest rocks occur in the core of a fold (i.e., closest to the fold axis), whereas the oldest rocks occur in the core of an anticline.

Explanation:

The relative age of a rock is its age in comparison with other rocks. If you know the relative ages of two rock layers, you know which is older and which is younger, but you do not know how old the layers are in years. Also syncline is a fold in which the youngest rocks occur in the core of a fold (i.e., closest to the fold axis), whereas the oldest rocks occur in the core of an anticline.