synclinal

American  

[sin-klahyn-l, sing-, sing-kli-nl] / sɪnˈklaɪn l, sɪŋ-, ˈsɪŋ klɪ nl /

adjective

1. sloping downward from opposite directions so as to meet in a common point or line.

2. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• synclinally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of synclinal

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

synclinal

The Coal Measures rest upon the Millstone Grits in most places, generally in synclinal basins.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 4 "England" to "English Finance" by Various

They cover nearly the whole of the Little Cumbrae, where they give rise to marked terraced features and are arranged in a gentle synclinal fold.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8 "Cube" to "Daguerre, Louis" by Various

Close to the synclinal valley the dip of these strata is 45 degrees, but at the eastern or farther end of the series it increases to 60 degrees.

From Geological Observations on South America by Charles Darwin

Subsequent movements produced in the Nova Scotia and the adjoining New Brunswick coal-fields the usual anticlinal and synclinal flexures.

From The Student's Elements of Geology by Sir Charles Lyell

Section of anticlinal valleys and synclinal mountains 78 17.

From North America by Israel C. (Cook) Russell