What type of geological structure is characterized by a low-lying, bowl-shaped fold?

A syncline is characterized by a low-lying, bowl-shaped fold in the Earth's crust. In geological terms, a syncline occurs when rock layers are bent downward in a U-shape, where the youngest rocks are typically found at the center of the fold. This formation results from compressional forces, which create pressure that leads to the bending and warping of layers.

Understanding the formation of synclines is important in geology, as they often indicate areas where sediments have been deposited and can be associated with fossil fuels, groundwater, and other natural resources. The structure contrasts with an anticline, which is an upward arching fold; thus, the syncline is distinct in its downward curvature.

Xenolith refers to a fragment of rock that is different from the surrounding rock in which it is enclosed, and Mesozoic pertains to a specific geological era. Neither of these terms describes a geological structure like a syncline does.