A mathematical model for orientation data from macroscopic cylindrical folds

An asymptotic form of Bingham's distribution on the sphere is applied to orientation data from cylindrical folds. Data from cylindrical folds typically form two clusters, one cluster for each fold limb. A bimodal distribution is obtained by fitting a unimodal distribution to each cluster. One parameter of the distribution gives the fold axis, another parameter is directly related to the curvature of the fold limb. Certain tests of hypotheses based on this distribution are the same as tests based on the Dimroth—Watson (symmetric girdle)distribution. One such is the test of whether two folds have the same fold axis.