What was the Variscan orogeny, and what major geological event caused it?

The Variscan orogeny, also known as the Hercynian orogeny, was a significant geological event involving mountain-building. It was caused by the collision of tectonic plates during the Late Paleozoic era, specifically the convergence and collision between the continental masses of Euramerica (also called Laurussia) and Gondwana. This immense collision ultimately led to the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea.

What are some of the prominent geological features that remain visible today as remnants of the Variscan orogeny?

The Variscan orogeny left behind a series of distinct geological formations known as massifs. These isolated massifs, which are visible today, include the Ardennes, the Bohemian Massif, the Vosges-Black Forest region, the Armorican Massif, the Cornubian Massif, the Massif Central, and the Iberian System. These ancient structures are interspersed with younger Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary basins.

How does the Variscan chain relate to other major mountain systems on Earth?

The Variscan chain represents a part of a much larger, ancient mountain system. This extensive system stretches across continents, connecting the Ural Mountains in Russia to the Appalachian Mountains in North America. The Variscan massifs in Europe form the pre-Permian basement of much of western and central Europe.

What were the primary continental masses involved in the Variscan orogeny?

The Variscan orogeny resulted from the convergence and collision of three main continental masses. These included the microcontinent Armorica, and the supercontinents Protogondwana and Laurussia. Laurussia itself was a union of Laurentia and Baltica, formed during the earlier Caledonian orogeny.

What is the current state of the Variscan chain, and what geological evidence does it primarily consist of?

Today, the Variscan chain is heavily eroded. The primary geological evidence that remains consists of metamorphic rocks and granites. These rocks represent the deeply buried roots of the ancient mountain range that was uplifted during the orogeny.

What is the etymological origin of the term 'Variscan'?

The term 'Variscan' is derived from 'Variscia,' which was the medieval Latin name for a region inhabited by a Germanic tribe known as the Varisci. The term was coined by Eduard Suess, a professor of geology at the University of Vienna, in 1880. The mineral Variscite, discovered in the Variscan belt region of Vogtland, Germany, shares the same etymological root.

What is the origin of the term 'Hercynian' in geology?

The term 'Hercynian' originates from the Hercynian Forest, an ancient name for a large forested region in Central Europe. Both 'Variscan' and 'Hercynian' were initially used by geologists to describe specific strike directions observed in the field; 'Variscan' referred to a southwest-to-northeast direction, while 'Hercynian' indicated a northwest-to-southeast direction. Over time, the meaning shifted from direction to the geological fold belt itself.

How are the terms 'Variscan' and 'Hercynian' used today, and is there a preference between them?

Today, 'Hercynian' is often used as a synonym for 'Variscan,' particularly when referring to the resulting massifs. However, 'Variscan' is generally preferred in the English-speaking world when discussing the orogenic cycle itself. In the United States, 'Hercynian' is typically reserved for European orogenies, as the related mountain-building phases in the Appalachian Mountains have distinct names. Some geologists distinguish 'Variscan' for the orogenic cycle and 'Hercynian' for the massifs.

What is the approximate age range typically associated with the term 'Variscan' in geology?

Geologists generally use the term 'Variscan' to characterize late Paleozoic fold-belts and orogenic phases. This typically falls within an age range of approximately 380 to 280 million years ago (Ma).

Where is the Variscan Belt distributed across Europe?

The European Variscan Belt is found across a wide area, including Portugal, Spain (Galicia and the Pyrenees), southwestern Ireland, Cornwall, Devon, Pembrokeshire, the Gower Peninsula, and the Vale of Glamorgan in the UK. In France, it extends from Brittany, beneath the Paris Basin, to the Ardennes, Massif Central, Pyrenees, Vosges, and Corsica. It also reappears in Sardinia, Italy, and parts of Germany like the Rhine Massif, Black Forest, and Harz Mountains.

How is the Variscan Belt represented in the Czech Republic and Poland?

In the Czech Republic and southwestern Poland, the Bohemian Massif serves as the eastern extent of the unmodified Variscan belt of crustal deformation in Europe. Further developments to the southeast are often obscured or modified by the later Alpine orogeny.

What contemporaneous orogenies in North America are linked to the Variscan orogeny?

The Variscan orogeny occurred at the same time as the Acadian orogeny and the Alleghenian orogeny in the United States and Canada. These North American orogenies were responsible for the formation of the Ouachita Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains.

What were the approximate dimensions of the Variscan chain?

The Variscan chain was a massive geological structure, estimated to be about 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) long and 700 kilometers (430 miles) wide. It is believed to have initially reached elevations of up to 6,000 meters (20,000 feet).

What are the typical geological components found in European Hercynian massifs?

European Hercynian massifs are primarily composed of Carboniferous granites and metamorphic rocks, such as gneiss and micaschist. Locally, they also contain quartzite and Carboniferous coal deposits.

What were the main phases of the Variscan orogeny's formation?

The formation of the Variscan orogeny is broadly divided into several phases. These include the pre-Variscan phase, the eo-Variscan phase, the meso-Variscan phase, the neo-Variscan phase, and a final late-orogenic extension phase.

What geological processes characterized the pre-Variscan phase (Cambrian to Ordovician)?

During the pre-Variscan phase, approximately 550 to 450 million years ago, widespread extensional tectonic activity occurred. This extension fragmented the supercontinent Rodinia, separating Northern Europe from Gondwana. This process thinned the continental crust of regions like Laurentia, Baltica, Kazakhstania, and Siberia, and led to the formation of new oceanic crust in oceans such as the Iapetus, Rheic, and Centralian Oceans.

What occurred during the eo-Variscan phase (late Ordovician to Silurian)?

In the eo-Variscan phase, from about 450 to 400 million years ago, the tectonic regime shifted from extension to convergence. This led to the collision of Gondwana in the south with the Euro-American continent (Laurentia-Baltica) in the north, involving intermediate plates like Avalonia and Armorica. The subduction of the African plate margin beneath the Euro-American plate caused the closure of the Rheic and Centralian Oceans, resulting in volcanic arc magmatism and high-pressure, high-temperature metamorphism as continental and oceanic lithosphere was buried deeply.

What geological transformations happened to rocks during the eo-Variscan phase?

During the eo-Variscan phase, intense geological pressures and temperatures caused transformations in rocks. Basic magmatic rocks were converted into eclogites, and acidic rocks were transformed into granulites, indicative of deep burial and high-grade metamorphic conditions.

Describe the key characteristics of the meso-Variscan phase (early to mid-Devonian).

The meso-Variscan phase, occurring from approximately 380 to 340 million years ago, was marked by continental collision between Laurussia and Gondwana. This collision resulted in the obduction, or overriding, of oceanic material onto the continental crust. This period also featured high-pressure, medium-temperature metamorphism and significant structural deformation, including thrust faulting and nappe tectonics, where large slabs of rock were stacked upon each other.

What were the defining features of the neo-Variscan phase (late Devonian to late Carboniferous)?

The neo-Variscan phase, spanning from roughly 380 to 290 million years ago, involved extensive nappe tectonics that stacked metamorphic rock units. This process created significant topographic relief, comparable to the modern Alps. The resulting thickened crust, nearly double its normal thickness, led to thermal disturbances, causing partial melting (anatexis) and widespread plutonism, which is the formation of large igneous bodies like granites. Medium-pressure, medium-temperature metamorphism also occurred during this phase.

What geological processes followed the crustal thickening during the neo-Variscan phase?

Following the intense crustal thickening of the neo-Variscan phase, the unstable, thickened crust underwent isostatic adjustment. This process, driven by gravitational forces and potential changes in plate movement, led to thinning of the crust. This late-orogenic extension continued into the Permian period and involved further tangential tectonics, significant erosion that exposed deeper crustal rocks, and the formation of sedimentary basins filled with material derived from bordering faults, volcanic flows, and calderas.

What role did radioactive elements play in the Variscan orogeny, according to the notes?

According to a note referencing geological studies, the abundance of radioactive elements like uranium and thorium within the Earth's crust generated significant heat during the Variscan orogeny. This heat increased the geothermal gradient, which is the rate at which temperature rises with depth in the Earth, contributing to thermal relaxation processes after crustal thickening.

What does the image caption describe regarding the Hercynian-Alleghenian mountain belts?

The image caption describes the location of the Hercynian-Alleghenian mountain belts during the middle of the Carboniferous period. It also indicates that present-day coastlines are shown in grey for reference, helping to orient the viewer in relation to modern geography.

What is the significance of the 'Hercynian V' pattern mentioned in the text?

The 'Hercynian V' pattern refers to the characteristic shape formed by the northwest-southeast (Armorican) branch and the northeast-southwest (Variscan) branch of the mountain chain. This pattern is a key structural feature resulting from the Variscan orogeny and its related tectonic events.

What types of rocks are commonly found in the Variscan belt, and what geological processes formed them?

The Variscan belt is characterized by various rock types formed through intense geological processes. These include Carboniferous granites, which are igneous rocks formed from cooled magma deep within the Earth; metamorphic rocks like gneiss and micaschist, formed from existing rocks subjected to heat and pressure; and sedimentary rocks such as quartzite and coal deposits, also formed during the Carboniferous period.

How did the Variscan orogeny contribute to the formation of Pangaea?

The Variscan orogeny was a crucial event in the assembly of the supercontinent Pangaea. It involved the collision of major continental masses, Euramerica (Laurussia) and Gondwana, which ultimately merged together to form this vast single landmass.

What is the approximate age of the Variscan orogeny in millions of years?

The Variscan orogeny is generally considered to have occurred between approximately 380 and 280 million years ago (Ma).

Besides Europe and North America, where else are Variscan-related geological features found?

Variscan-related geological features are also found in northwestern Africa, such as the Moroccan Meseta and the Anti-Atlas mountains. These regions show close relationships to the Appalachian Mountains and were once part of the eastern edge of the Appalachian orogeny before the opening of the Atlantic Ocean.

What does the 'Himalayan model' suggest about the Variscan chain?

The 'Himalayan model' suggests that the Variscan chain, in its prime, may have resembled parts of the modern Himalayas in terms of its scale and structure. It posits that features analogous to Mount Everest, Annapurna, and the Tibetan Plateau might have existed in locations like Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, and where the Paris Basin now lies, respectively, approximately 350 million years ago.

What is the significance of the term 'orogeny' in the context of the Variscan event?

The term 'orogeny' refers to a process of mountain formation, especially by folding and faulting of the Earth's crust. The Variscan orogeny, therefore, signifies the period and process during which the Variscan mountain chain was built through immense tectonic forces and continental collisions.

What role did microcontinents play in the Variscan orogeny?

Microcontinents, such as Armorica, played a significant role as intermediate landmasses caught between the larger supercontinents of Laurussia and Gondwana. Their collision and interaction with these larger plates contributed to the complex geological structures and deformation observed in the Variscan belt.

How did the closure of oceans contribute to the Variscan orogeny?

The closure of oceans, such as the Rheic Ocean and the Centralian Ocean, was a direct consequence of the converging continental plates during the Variscan orogeny. As these oceans closed due to subduction, oceanic crust was consumed, and continental masses were brought closer together, eventually leading to collision and mountain building.

What is meant by 'nappe tectonics' in the context of the Variscan orogeny?

Nappe tectonics refers to a process where large, sheet-like slabs of rock are thrust over other rocks for considerable distances. During the neo-Variscan phase, this process stacked up metamorphic units, contributing significantly to the thickening of the crust and the formation of the mountain range.

What is 'anatexis' and how did it occur during the Variscan orogeny?

Anatexis is the process of partial melting of rocks within the Earth's crust. During the neo-Variscan phase, the extreme thickening of the crust led to increased temperatures and pressures, causing the lower parts of the crust to melt partially. This anatexis was a significant source for the widespread granite formation (plutonism) observed in the Variscan belt.

What is 'isostatic thinning' and how did it relate to the Variscan chain?

Isostatic thinning refers to the process where a thickened crust, due to its buoyancy, tends to rise and spread out, leading to thinning. After the intense crustal thickening during the neo-Variscan phase, the unstable, elevated crust underwent isostatic adjustment, resulting in thinning and extension that continued into the Permian period.

What geological evidence suggests the Variscan chain was once a very high mountain system?

The initial estimated elevation of the Variscan chain reaching up to 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) suggests it was once a very high mountain system. Although heavily eroded today, the scale of the uplift and the subsequent geological processes indicate a mountain range comparable in height to major modern ranges.

What is the relationship between the Variscan orogeny and the formation of Pangaea?

The Variscan orogeny was a key process in the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea. The continental collisions that defined the Variscan event brought together the major landmasses of Euramerica and Gondwana, which eventually coalesced into the single supercontinent Pangaea.

How did the Variscan orogeny influence the basement geology of Western and Central Europe?

The Variscan orogeny created a vast mountain system whose remnants now form the pre-Permian basement of Western and Central Europe. These ancient massifs are fundamental geological structures upon which later geological formations and processes have acted.

What does the term 'eo-Variscan' phase imply about the timing of geological events?

The term 'eo-Variscan' refers to the early phase of the Variscan orogeny, specifically occurring from the late Ordovician to the Silurian period (approximately 450 to 400 million years ago). It signifies the initial stages of convergence and collision that preceded the main mountain-building events.

What is the significance of the 'neo-Variscan' phase in the Variscan orogeny?

The neo-Variscan phase, occurring from the late Devonian to the late Carboniferous (approximately 380 to 290 million years ago), was a critical period of intense mountain building. It involved significant crustal shortening, stacking of rock units through nappe tectonics, and widespread granite formation due to crustal melting, creating relief comparable to the modern Alps.

What is the approximate duration of the Variscan orogeny?

The Variscan orogeny spanned a considerable geological timeframe, generally considered to have occurred between approximately 380 and 280 million years ago, encompassing multiple phases of collision, deformation, and mountain building.

What is the role of the 'Armorican Massif' in the context of the Variscan orogeny?

The Armorican Massif, located in northwestern France, is one of the prominent massifs that represent the eroded remnants of the Variscan chain. It is a key geological feature providing evidence of the Variscan orogeny's extent and impact in Western Europe.

What does the term 'Laurussia' refer to in the context of the Variscan orogeny?

Laurussia, also referred to as Euramerica, was a supercontinent formed by the earlier Caledonian orogeny, uniting Laurentia and Baltica. During the Variscan orogeny, Laurussia collided with Gondwana, playing a major role in the formation of Pangaea.

What is the geological significance of the Bohemian Massif?

The Bohemian Massif, located in Central Europe (spanning parts of the Czech Republic and southwestern Poland), is geologically significant as it represents the easternmost extent of the unmodified Variscan belt of crustal deformation in Europe. It provides crucial insights into the structure and history of the Variscan orogeny.

How did the Variscan orogeny differ from the later Alpine orogeny?

While both are major mountain-building events, the Variscan orogeny occurred much earlier, primarily during the Late Paleozoic era, involving the collision of Gondwana and Laurussia to form Pangaea. The Alpine orogeny, which occurred much later, involved the collision of the African and Eurasian plates, forming the mountain ranges of Southern Europe and Western Asia, such as the Alps and Himalayas. The Alpine orogeny also overprinted and modified some areas affected by the Variscan orogeny.

What does the term 'basement' refer to in the context of the Variscan chain?

In geology, 'basement' refers to the older rocks that lie beneath younger sedimentary layers. The ancient massifs formed by the Variscan orogeny constitute the pre-Permian basement of much of Western and Central Europe, providing the foundation upon which later geological structures developed.

Variscan Orogeny Wiki: The Variscan Orogeny: Sculpting Continents Through Collision

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

Nomenclature

Naming Origins

The term Variscan originates from the Medieval Latin name for the region Variscia, associated with the Germanic tribe known as the Varisci. This nomenclature was established by Eduard Suess, a prominent geologist at the University of Vienna, in 1880. The name shares etymological roots with Variscite, a mineral discovered in the Variscan belt region of Saxony, Germany.

Variscan vs. Hercynian

Conversely, the term Hercynian derives from the ancient Hercynian Forest. Both terms were initially descriptive of geological strike directions observed in the field: Variscan for southwest-to-northeast trends and Hercynian for northwest-to-southeast trends. Over time, the meaning shifted from directional descriptors to the geological fold belts themselves. While often used synonymously today, Variscan is generally preferred for the orogenic cycle, and Hercynian for the resulting massifs, particularly in English-speaking contexts.

Key Researchers

Franz Kossmat, a German geologist, was a significant contributor to the research on the Variscan fold belt. In 1927, he established a foundational division of the European Variscides that remains influential. While the term Hercynian is less common in English, it is frequently used in German geological literature. In North America, contemporaneous mountain-building events related to the Variscan orogeny are referred to by different names, such as the Alleghanian orogeny.

Geographical Distribution

European Extent

The Variscan Belt is a vast geological structure evident across Europe and beyond. In Europe, it encompasses mountain ranges in Portugal, Spain (Galicia, Pyrenees), southwestern Ireland (Munster), Cornwall, Devon, Pembrokeshire, and the Vale of Glamorgan. In France, it extends from Brittany, beneath the Paris Basin, to the Ardennes, Massif Central, Pyrenees, Vosges, and Corsica. The belt reappears in Sardinia, Italy, and is represented by the Rhine Massif (including the Ardennes, Eifel, Hunsrück, Taunus), the Black Forest, and the Harz Mountains in Germany.

Eastern and Southern Reaches

The Bohemian Massif in the Czech Republic and southwestern Poland marks the eastern extent of the unmodified Variscan deformation in Europe. Further southeast, Variscan structures are partially obscured and overprinted by the Alpine orogeny, notably in the Alps (Mercantour, Pelvoux, Belledonne, Mont Blanc, Aar Massif). The Dinaric, Greek, and Turkish mountain chains represent the southeastern termination of the Variscan system.

Transcontinental Connections

The Variscan orogeny was contemporaneous with the Acadian and Alleghanian orogenies in North America, which formed the Ouachita and Appalachian Mountains. Regions in North America exhibiting Variscan features include New England, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Northwestern Africa, specifically the Moroccan Meseta and Anti-Atlas, shows strong correlations with the Appalachian Mountains, having formed the eastern part of the Appalachian orogeny before the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. Chronologically, the Variscan cycle also relates to mountain systems like the Ural Mountains, Pamir, and Tian Shan in Asia.

The Variscan chain, estimated to have been 5,000 km long and reaching elevations of up to 6,000 meters, is represented in numerous regions:

External crystalline massifs of the Alps
Vosges and Black Forest
Rhenish Massif (Ardennes, Eifel, Hunsrück, Taunus)
Harz Mountains
Bohemian Massif
Massif Central
Armorican Massif
Morvan, Maures Massif, Estérel Massif
Southern Corsica
Sardinia
Ural Mountains
Southwest Ireland
Portugal and Western Spain
Măcin Mountains (Romania)
Moroccan Meseta (Central Moroccan Massif, Rehamna, Jebilet)
Mauritanides (North Africa)
Appalachian Mountains (Alleghanian orogeny, North America)

The characteristic "Hercynian V" pattern arises from the interplay of its northwest-southeast (Armorican) and northeast-southwest (Variscan) branches. The European Hercynian massifs predominantly consist of Carboniferous granites, metamorphic rocks (gneiss, micaschist), quartzites, and coal deposits.

Orogenic Formation Phases

Pre-Variscan Phase (Cambrian-Ordovician)

From approximately 550 to 450 million years ago (Ma), the supercontinent Rodinia underwent widespread extensional tectonics. This fragmentation separated Northern Europe (Laurentia, Baltica) from Gondwana, creating significant oceanic basins like the Iapetus, Rheic, and Centralian Oceans. The continental crust thinned, and oceanic crust formed.

Eo-Variscan Phase (Late Ordovician-Silurian)

Between 450 and 400 Ma, the tectonic regime shifted from extension to convergence. Gondwana began colliding with the Euro-American continent (Laurentia-Baltica), involving intermediate microcontinents such as Avalonia and Armorica. The subduction of the African plate beneath the Euro-American plate closed the Rheic Ocean. This process generated arc magmatism and high-pressure, high-temperature metamorphism, transforming oceanic lithosphere into eclogites and acidic rocks into granulites as crustal material was buried deeply.

Meso-Variscan Phase (Early-Mid Devonian)

From 380 to 340 Ma, the collision between Laurussia and Gondwana intensified. This led to the obduction of oceanic material onto continental crust. This phase was characterized by significant deformation, including thrust faulting and nappe tectonics, accompanied by high-pressure, medium-temperature metamorphism.

Neo-Variscan Phase (Late Devonian-Late Carboniferous)

Spanning from 380 to 290 Ma, this phase involved extensive nappe tectonics, stacking metamorphic units and creating significant topographic relief, comparable to the modern Alps. The resulting thickened crust (nearly double normal thickness) induced thermal perturbations and widespread partial melting (anatexis), leading to extensive plutonism (granite formation) and medium-pressure, medium-temperature metamorphism. The subsequent isostatic adjustment involved crustal thinning, gravitational collapse, and significant erosion, exposing the deeper crustal rocks and forming sedimentary basins.

Notes

Geothermal Gradient

The abundance of radioactive elements, such as uranium and thorium, within the crustal material during the Variscan orogeny generated substantial heat. This significantly increased the geothermal gradient, driving post-thickening thermal relaxation and contributing to the geological processes observed in the orogenic belt.

External Links

Paleogeographic Maps & Resources

Christopher R. Scotese, Paleomap Project: Early Devonian Map (opens in new tab)
Christopher R. Scotese, Paleomap Project: Early Carboniferous Map (opens in new tab)
Christopher R. Scotese, Paleomap Project: Late Carboniferous Map (opens in new tab)
Christopher R. Scotese, Paleomap Project: Triassic Map (opens in new tab)
Ronald Blakey, Colorado Plateau Geosystems Inc: Europe in the Late Carboniferous (opens in new tab)

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio

Click here to open the "Variscan Orogeny" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about variscan_orogeny while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

512th airlift wing

misinformation

list of heads of state of trinidad and tobago

putney

60th venice international film festival

forward operating base danger

oakland arena

white-collar worker

national university of uzbekistan

2012 los angeles sparks season

References

Based on Matte 2001 and Ziegler 1990

Google search on December 29, 2007: approximately 44,500 for Variscan orogeny, approximately 15,000 Hercynian orogeny. In German: 1,170 for "variszische Orogenese", 154 for "herzynische Orogenese".

Tectonics of the Devonian. Website of University of California Museum of Paleontology. Accessed on December 29, 2007.

"The Hercynian Orogeny". Historical Geology, University of North Texas.

Paleogeographic configuration Lower Carboniferous. Paleomap Project by C.Scotese. Accessed on December 29, 2007.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Variscan orogeny Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data, primarily Wikipedia, and may not be exhaustive or reflect the absolute latest scientific understanding.

This is not professional geological advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for expert consultation with qualified geologists or earth scientists. Always consult with professionals for specific geological assessments or research needs. Reliance on any information provided on this page is solely at your own risk.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of the information presented.

The Variscan Orogeny

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Nomenclature

Naming Origins

Variscan vs. Hercynian

Key Researchers

Geographical Distribution

European Extent

Eastern and Southern Reaches

Transcontinental Connections

Orogenic Formation Phases

Pre-Variscan Phase (Cambrian-Ordovician)

Eo-Variscan Phase (Late Ordovician-Silurian)

Meso-Variscan Phase (Early-Mid Devonian)

Neo-Variscan Phase (Late Devonian-Late Carboniferous)

Notes

Geothermal Gradient

Further Reading

Scholarly Works

External Links

Paleogeographic Maps & Resources

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

References

References

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

The Variscan Orogeny

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Nomenclature 📜

🗣️ Naming Origins

↔️ Variscan vs. Hercynian

👨‍🔬 Key Researchers

Geographical Distribution 🗺️

🌍 European Extent

➡️ Eastern and Southern Reaches

🔗 Transcontinental Connections

Orogenic Formation Phases ⚙️

⏳ Pre-Variscan Phase (Cambrian-Ordovician)

💥 Eo-Variscan Phase (Late Ordovician-Silurian)

🧱 Meso-Variscan Phase (Early-Mid Devonian)

⛰️ Neo-Variscan Phase (Late Devonian-Late Carboniferous)

Related Topics 🔗

🇫🇷 Geology of France

Notes ℹ️

🌡️ Geothermal Gradient

Further Reading 📖

📚 Scholarly Works

External Links 🔗

🌐 Paleogeographic Maps & Resources

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Explore More Topics

📜 Discover other topics to study!

References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Nomenclature

Naming Origins

Variscan vs. Hercynian

Key Researchers

Geographical Distribution

European Extent

Eastern and Southern Reaches

Transcontinental Connections

Orogenic Formation Phases

Pre-Variscan Phase (Cambrian-Ordovician)

Eo-Variscan Phase (Late Ordovician-Silurian)

Meso-Variscan Phase (Early-Mid Devonian)

Neo-Variscan Phase (Late Devonian-Late Carboniferous)

Related Topics

Geology of France

Notes

Geothermal Gradient

Further Reading

Scholarly Works

External Links

Paleogeographic Maps & Resources

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice