terrane
Accreted rock mass
A terrane is a fragment of crustal material that has broken off from its original landmass and attached to another through tectonic processes.
Geologists use the term to describe distinct rock formations with histories different from the surrounding terrain: The accreted terranes of western North America originated far to the south.
The word distinguishes geological units from terrain, which simply means land surface.
Growth through external addition
- sutureMedical wound closure
- subductionPlate descending beneath another
- orogenyGeological mountain formation
- plateFlat dish for food
fault · craton · microcontinent · allochthon · autochthon · collision · docking · amalgamation
Undergoing structural change
- igneousFormed from cooled magma
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- bedrockSolid stone underground
- schistPlaty-mineral metamorphic rock
granite · basalt · quartzite · gneiss · serpentinite · chert · limestone · volcanic
Ordered succession of elements
- strataParallel geological layers
- faciesDiagnostic facial appearance
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- sedimentationParticles settling in liquid
geochronology · fossil record · correlation · paleontology · geological history · provenance · unconformity · boundary
accretion
Growth through external addition
- sutureMedical wound closure
- subductionPlate descending beneath another
- orogenyGeological mountain formation
plate · fault · craton · microcontinent · allochthon · autochthon · collision · docking · amalgamation · exotic
metamorphic
Undergoing structural change
- igneousFormed from cooled magma
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- bedrockSolid stone underground
schist · granite · basalt · quartzite · gneiss · serpentinite · chert · limestone · volcanic · plutonic
sequence
Ordered succession of elements
- strataParallel geological layers
- faciesDiagnostic facial appearance
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
sedimentation · geochronology · fossil record · correlation · paleontology · geological history · provenance · unconformity · boundary · contact
terranecontinent
Large connected landmass
craton · supercontinent · mainland · tectonic plate · Pangaea
- terrace housesConnected homes in rows
- rough terrainUneven, difficult ground
- hazardous terrainLand posing physical danger
- rugged terrainHarsh, uneven land
- all-terrain vehicleMotorized off-road conveyance
- rocky terrainLand covered with stones