Folds with vergence opposite to the sense of shear

Near-similar folds with persistent NW-vergence occur in the southeast Highlands of Scotland and are interpreted to have formed in a regime of SE-directed non-coaxial shear. The sense of shear is corroborated by independent kinematic indicators. The folds are formed by a mechanism in which strongly partitioned shear produced an alternation of high strain zones, forming long limbs, and low strain zones, forming short limbs. Progressive strain results in the rotation and attenuation of strain markers in the long limbs and in the consumption of low strain zones. High strain may ultimately lead to the disappearance of the short limbs.