Torlesse Composite Terrane

Torlesse Composite Terrane
Stratigraphic range: Carboniferous-Cretaceous ~320–130 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
View of Torless Composite Terrane at Aoraki / Mount Cook
Type	Terrane
Unit of	Austral Superprovince
Sub-units	Kaweka, Rakaia & Pahau Terranes, Esk Head Belt, Pahaoa & Clent Hills Groups
Underlies	Caples Terrane, Momotu, Waka & Haerenga Supergroups
Lithology
Primary	Greywacke, schist, basalt
Location
Region	Canterbury, Marlborough & Otago Regions
Country	New Zealand
Type section
Named for	Torlesse Range
Cross-section of New Zealand's stratigraphy

The Torlesse Composite Terrane is a plate tectonic terrane forming part of the South Island of New Zealand. It contains the Rakaia, Aspiring and Pahau Terranes and the Esk Head Belt.^[1] Greywacke (or Torlesse Greywacke) is the dominant rock type of the composite terrane; argillite is less common and there are minor basalt occurrences. The Torlesse Composite Terrane is found east of the Alpine Fault in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Its southern extent is a cryptic boundary with the Caples Terrane within the Haast Schists in Central Otago.^[2] It is named for the Torlesse Range in Canterbury.