Tectonic map of the Variscan belt in Western Europe. Continental terranes, Avalonia, Saxo-Thuringia, Armorica-Barandia, Brunia, are separated by ophiolitic sutures, namely the Rheic suture and the Medio-European suture, to the north and south of Armorica respectively. The internal zone of the Variscan belt comprises high-grade nappes overlying a parautochtonous unit belonging to the northern margin of Gondwana.