Anticline

Anticlines can be recognized and differentiated from antiforms by a sequence of rock layers that become progressively older toward the center of the fold.

The progressing age of the rock strata towards the core and uplifted center, are the trademark indications for evidence of anticlines on a geologic map.

The uplifted core of the fold causes compression of strata that preferentially erodes to a deeper stratigraphic level relative to the topographically lower flanks.

[2] The axial surface is an imaginary plane connecting the hinge of each layer of rock stratum through the cross section of an anticline.

Periclinal folds are a type of anticlines that have a well-defined, but curved hinge line and are doubly plunging and thus elongate domes.

Anticlines are usually developed above thrust faults, so any small compression and motion within the inner crust can have large effects on the upper rock stratum.

Stresses developed during mountain building or during other tectonic processes can similarly warp or bend bedding and foliation (or other planar features).

Passive-flow folds are extremely dependent on the rock composition of the stratum and can typically occur in areas with high temperatures.

[4] Anticlines, structural domes, fault zones and stratigraphic traps are very favorable locations for oil and natural gas drilling.

[9] Examples of low-permeability seals that contain the hydrocarbons, oil and gas, in the ground include shale, limestone, sandstone, and rock salt.

Water, minerals and specific rock strata such as limestone found inside anticlines are also extracted and commercialized.

Ghawar Anticline, Saudi Arabia, the structural trap for the largest conventional oil field in the world.

[10] The central Kansas uplift is an antiform composed of several small anticlines that have collectively produced more than 2.5 million barrels of oil.

[13] This area also contains remains of fossils and ancient plants from the Jurassic period that are sometimes exposed through geological erosion.

Ventura County has a high rate of compression and seismic activity due to the converging San Andreas Fault.

The oil and gas formed these pools as they migrated upward during the Pliocene Era and became contained beneath the caprock.