An upward fold in rock layers where the oldest rocks are in the center and younger rocks are on the outside, forming an arch-like structure. These folds result from compressional forces in the Earth's crust.
From Greek 'anti' (opposite) and 'klinein' (to lean), literally meaning 'leaning against.' The term was coined in the mid-19th century as geologists developed systematic terminology for describing folded rock structures.
Many of the world's oil and gas deposits are trapped in anticlines because hydrocarbons migrate upward and get caught under the impermeable rock cap of these geological arches! The Appalachian Mountains show beautiful anticline and syncline patterns that you can see in road cuts - the rock layers look like giant stone waves frozen in time.
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