Final answer:
Suspect terranes are pieces of the Earth's crust with distinct stratigraphy and rock types, often separated by faults and associated with complex geological processes such as subduction, which can bring different terranes together.
Step-by-step explanation:
Suspect terranes are geological fragments of crust which are characterized by unique rock types and stratigraphy that differ significantly from the surrounding areas. They often become part of a larger continent or landmass through the process of accretion. These terranes are typically separated from adjacent terranes by significant geological features such as faults, and they are not usually bordered by mid-oceanic ridges, as this would imply an active divergent plate boundary.
The process of subduction can bring together different terranes, as oceanic plates collide with and go beneath continental plates, bringing with them pieces of crust that may then become accreted to the continent. This process of colliding and accreting leads to complex geology often found in mountain ranges. Ophiolites, which are slices of oceanic crust and the underlying upper mantle that have been uplifted and exposed above sea level, are often found in these suspect terranes.
Understanding these geological processes and the differences between rift and subduction zones is crucial, as they explain much about the movement of Earth's plates and the formation of various geological features.