Anticline

Anticline, a geological term having great significance in the question of the origin of mineral springs. The Earth consists of a compressed gaseous core, a belt of molten magma, and a layer of stone crust up to 60-70 km thick. During cooling and compression of the core, the solid crust follows the inner part, undergoes strong lateral pressure and forms folds. Concave folds are called synclines, while convex ones are anticlines. In anticlines, one distinguishes the 'lock,' wings, and sole. Anticlines can be straight (with symmetrical wings) and oblique (with wings inclined in one direction). The configuration of folds changes as the Earth's crust is compressed and in connection with destructive (denudational) processes on the Earth's surface (erosion and weathering). Mountain ranges (Alps, Ural, etc.) represent destroyed remnants of enormous folds. During mountain-forming processes, cracks and displacements of Earth layers occur, forming faults and shifts, grabens and horsts. With cracks and layers, anticlines are associated with layered springs and ascending and descending type fissure springs.