difficult sentence with 'hence'

source)
Such conditions were shown to be most likely met when the block was inclined at 45°, thus forcing the bubble to slide closer to the heated surface
and hence to the thermal boundary layer.

interpretation and restoration)) ->
Such conditions were shown to be most likely met when the block was inclined at 45°, thus (Such conditions) forced the bubble to slide closer to the heated surface
and hence (Such conditions forced the bubble) to the thermal boundary layer.
1) I'd like to know my interpretation from source is correct.
2) I'd like to know the phrase beginning by the word 'forcing' is a participle phrase.
3) I'd like to know why the conjunctive adverb 'hence' is different from the other conjunctive adverbs in regard to omitting common phrases:
Why can common phrases be omitted In a clause beginning by the word 'hence' the same as a clause beginning by 'and', 'or', and 'but'?

In advance, thank you very much for your help.