Flame structure

A flame structure is a type of soft-sediment deformation that forms in unconsolidated sediments.

The resulting pattern (in cross section) may resemble flames.

In order for the flame structure to occur, the overlying bed must be of a higher density than the underlying bed, or there must be differential pressures in the upper bed.

[1][2] Basically prior to flaming these structures are unstable,[3] under pressure,[1] and then subject to additional stress, such as being triggered by earthquakes.

[4] Earthquakes over magnitude 6 can initiate flaming in large (hundreds to thousands of square kilometres) areas, but flaming can also be caused by as little as the repeated pounding of waves.