Studies in Differential Compaction

This series of laboratory experiments is intended to illustrate what may be expected in a region where differential compaction has occurred. The paper contains a discussion of the increase of dip with depth, the type of deformation that results, the relative importance of beds around and over the hill, the effect of two hills, and the effect of rejuvenation. Criteria are given by which a compaction fold may be recognized. A very important role of differential compaction is directive, and it is shown that this role may determine the subsurface attitude and the surface reflection of folds which owe a large part of their deformation to forces of a very different nature.