What kind of geological structure is characterized by having layers of rock that dip towards each other?

The geological structure characterized by layers of rock that dip towards each other is known as a syncline. In a syncline, sedimentary rock layers are folded in such a way that the youngest layers are found at the center of the structure, with the older layers on the outside. This creates a trough-like formation where the rock strata slope downward towards the axial plane of the fold.

This structure forms due to compressional forces in the Earth's crust, which push the layers of rock together, leading to the bending and folding of these layers. As a result, synclines can be commonly found in regions that have experienced tectonic activity, such as mountain ranges formed by the collision of tectonic plates.

In contrast, a dome would involve rock layers arching upwards, while a basin features layers that dip away from a central point. A fault is a fracture in the Earth's crust along which movement has occurred, rather than a layered structure. Thus, the defining characteristic of a syncline is the way the rock layers are oriented, distinctly dipping towards each other.