Pronunciation: [bˈakfə͡ʊldɪŋ] (IPA) 
Backfolding is spelled with the phonetic sounds /ˈbækˌfoʊldɪŋ/. The first syllable /ˈbæk/ is pronounced with the short vowel sound "a" as in "bat". The second syllable /ˌfoʊldɪŋ/ includes the diphthong "ow" as in "how" and is followed by the syllable stress on the second-to-last syllable. Backfolding is commonly used in geology to describe the process in which a rock layer folds back on itself due to tectonic forces or pressure.
Backfolding is a geological process referring to the folding or bending of rock layers or strata in such a way that the youngest layers are now located towards the center of the fold and the older layers towards the outer edges. This folding phenomenon is characterized by the inversion or reversal of the original stratigraphic sequence due to the intense pressure and stress placed on the rocks.
In backfolding, the rocks are subjected to compressional forces that cause them to buckle and fold, resulting in a curvature where the younger layers end up overlying the older layers. This can occur during the tectonic collision of two crustal plates or as a consequence of intense orogenic activity. Backfolding can often be found in areas with complex and folded mountain ranges.
The process of backfolding has significant implications in understanding the geological structures and history of an area. By studying the orientation, shape, and location of backfolds, geologists can gain insights into the forces and movements of the Earth's crust over time. Backfolds can also provide evidence of the conditions and environments in which the rock layers were formed, as well as the subsequent deformation and modification they have undergone.
Overall, backfolding is an important geological phenomenon that occurs when rock layers are bent or folded in such a way that their original stratigraphic order is inverted, with younger layers ending up towards the center of the fold.
