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Terrane identification and geology

A fault-bounded body of rock with a geological history distinct from that of adjacent terranes, typically interpreted as having been transported from elsewhere and accreted to a continental margin by plate tectonic processes. Terranes may be fragments of volcanic arcs, oceanic plateaus, continental slivers, or other tectonic blocks. The recognition and mapping of terranes is fundamental to understanding the assembly of complex orogenic belts. Field: structural geology. Example: The Canadian Cordillera consists of more than a dozen distinct accreted terranes—each with its own unique rock types, fossil assemblages, and deformation history—assembled against the western margin of North America over the past 200 million years.. Related terms: Accretion, Suture zone, Plate tectonics, Orogeny.

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T15:19:42.096023+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • USGS Thesaurus — U.S. Geological Survey. Controlled earth-science terminology used to describe USGS information resources.
  • Glossary of Geologic Terms — U.S. National Park Service. Geologic definitions prepared by the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory.

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Common questions

What does Terrane mean in geology?
A fault-bounded body of rock with a geological history distinct from that of adjacent terranes, typically interpreted as having been transported from elsewhere and accreted to a continental margin by plate tectonic processes. Terranes may be fragments of volcanic arcs, oceanic plateaus, continental slivers, or other tectonic blocks. The recognition and mapping of terranes is fundamental to understanding the assembly of complex orogenic belts.
What is an example of Terrane?
The Canadian Cordillera consists of more than a dozen distinct accreted terranes—each with its own unique rock types, fossil assemblages, and deformation history—assembled against the western margin of North America over the past 200 million years.
Which earth-science field uses the term Terrane?
Terrane is used in structural geology.
Which terms are related to Terrane?
Related terms in this reference are Accretion, Suture zone, Plate tectonics, Orogeny.

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