"Terrain" refers to a topographic or geographic landscape configuration--for example, a "hilly terrain," or a "wooded terrain." "Terrane" refers to a lighologic or geologic areal expanse--for example, a "metamorphic terrane," or a "basaltic terrane."
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Terrane refers to a distinct area of the Earth's crust with a geological history different from the surrounding areas, often brought in through tectonic processes. Terrain refers to the physical features of an area's surface, such as its elevation, slopes, and vegetation. In short, terrane is a geological term, while terrain is a geographic term.
An example of a terrane is the Franciscan Complex in California. It consists of a series of rocks and sediment that were added to the western coast of North America during tectonic plate movements. The Franciscan Complex is considered an accreted terrane due to its distinct geology compared to the surrounding areas.
Terrane
At the boundaries of a terrane, you can find faults, shear zones, and deformation zones where the terrane has been accreted or sutured onto adjacent tectonic plates. These boundaries may exhibit complex structures due to the collision and deformation processes that have occurred as the terrane was incorporated into the larger tectonic framework.
A terrane is a fragment of crust that has a geologic history different from that of the surrounding crust, often resulting from tectonic movements.
A terrane is a distinct crustal block that has a geologic history separate from the surrounding area, often brought in from elsewhere by plate tectonics. This means that the rocks, structures, and geologic history of a terrane can differ significantly from the surrounding area.