30 Plunging Folds
Elizabeth Johnson
What is a Plunging Fold?
A plunging fold is a fold that is tilted downwards in space, parallel to the fold hinge plane.
Interactive SketchUp diagram of a plunging anticline:
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/embed/6cdfda2db2406141f0a2f88f187c27f1
Interactive SketchUp diagram of a plunging syncline:
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/embed/eed7e3f10e065481f0a2f88f187c27f1
Plunging Anticline
Figure 27 shows a plunging anticline. The direction the fold is plunging into the Earth is represented by an arrow in the map view.
3D interactive model of Figure 27: http://app.visiblegeology.com/model.html#ahFzfnZpc2libGUtZ2VvbG9neXIPCxIFTW9kZWwYme-rmQEM
Plunging Syncline
Figure 28 shows a plunging syncline. The direction the fold is plunging into the Earth is represented by an arrow in the map view.
3D interactive model of Figure 28: http://app.visiblegeology.com/model.html#ahFzfnZpc2libGUtZ2VvbG9neXIPCxIFTW9kZWwYyYLTlgEM
Questions
3D interactive model of Figure 29: http://app.visiblegeology.com/model.html#ahFzfnZpc2libGUtZ2VvbG9neXIPCxIFTW9kZWwY2dDTlgEM
Question 14. What type of fold is “1” in Figure 29?
- Plunging anticline
- Plunging syncline
Question 15. In which direction is fold “1” in Figure 29 plunging?
- Towards the north
- Towards the east
- Towards the south
- Towards the west