In
structural geology, a
syncline is a
fold with younger layers closer to the center of the structure. A
synclinorium (plural
synclinoriums or
synclinoria) is a large syncline with superimposed smaller folds. Synclines are typically a downward fold, termed a synformal syncline (i.e. a trough); but synclines that point upwards, or perched, can be found when strata have been overturned and folded (an antiformal syncline).