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Glite Dictionary
monoclinal

monoclinal

9.9
All rock layers tilt in the same direction
  • adjective
  • /ˌmɒnəˈklaɪnəl/
  • Specialized
: monoclinal
  • A monoclinal structure can often be recognized by the uniform tilt of sedimentary layers.

Examples

  • Their survey confirmed that the basin had a distinct monoclinal formation running northeast.

  • The region's monoclinal fold is an important feature for geologists studying the area's tectonic history.

  • The monoclinal structure was fascinating to geologists.

  • Is this formation monoclinal or not?

  • A monoclinal structure can often be recognized by the uniform tilt of sedimentary layers.

  • The region's monoclinal fold is an important feature for geologists studying the area's tectonic history.

  • Their survey confirmed that the basin had a distinct monoclinal formation running northeast.

Surface Forms

monoclinal positive

Morphology

monoclinal = clinal (opaque) = mono + cline + al

The form is built from the clear prefix mono- and the technical base clinal, but the geological meaning is specialized and not readily inferable for an average learner.

Etymology

The word monoclinal comes from mono- meaning 'one' and cline meaning 'slope' or 'lean', just like in the word incline. So a monoclinal structure is one where all the rock layers slope or lean in the same direction.