Isoclinals

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of geological structure characterized by inclined strata that dip in one direction and are nearly parallel to each other
2. Referring to layers of rock that maintain a consistent angle and direction, suggesting uniform deformation processes
3. Pertaining to geological formations where the layers exhibit slight but uniform inclinations, indicating specific tectonic conditions

Etymology: "Isoclinals" is the plural of "isoclinal", a geological term for layers of rock that are folded so that their dip is the same on both sides of a fold. The adjective is built from the Greek prefix "iso-", meaning "equal" or "same", and "-clinal", from the Greek "klinein", meaning "to lean" or "to incline." Put together, the parts describe strata that lean at an equal angle. The "-clinal" element also appears in geology's other inclination terms, such as "anticlinal" and "synclinal", which describe the upward and downward arches of folds. The "iso-" prefix is the same one found in words like "isotope" and "isobar", where it marks equality of some measured quantity. In "isoclinal", the equality is in the angle of dip.