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Letter VGeology glossary

Variscan Orogeny

The Variscan Orogeny was a significant mountain-building event that occurred during the Late Paleozoic era, resulting from the collision of several continental plates, including Gondwana and Laurussia. This orogeny is significant for understanding the formation of mountain ranges in Europe and North America, the assembly of the supercontinent Pangaea, and the tectonic history of the Paleozoic.

Map showing Alleghenian and Hercynian orogeny regions (Variscian Orogeny)
Fig. 1 Map showing Alleghenian and Hercynian orogeny regions (Variscian Orogeny)

Source Franke, Wolfgang. “The mid-European segment of the Variscides: tectonostratigraphic units, terrane boundaries and plate tectonic evolution.” Geological Society, London, Special Publications 179 (2000): 35 – 61.

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