3.3.3 Suite (Suite)
3.3.3.1 A suite is a lithodemic unit consisting of two or more lithodemes, or informal lithodemic units. Individual lithodemes in a suite must belong in the same class, i.e. be either igneous or metamorphic rocks.
3.3.3.2 Suite is a formal lithodemic unit ranking next above lithodeme. Two or more suites of the same or a different class can be defined as a supersuite.
3.3.3.3 A suite usually has a regional extent, or consists of a few distinct units which together have a regional extent.
3.3.3.4 A suite is mappable at the surface and traceable in the subsurface using geological and geophysical methods.
3.3.3.5 A suite consists of formal lithodemes and/or informal, unnamed lithodemic units that belong to the same class of rocks. These may be either igneous or metamorphic (including metasomatic and highly deformed rocks). A suite may therefore be, for example, a plutonic, intrusive, dyke or metamorphic suite. The individual formal or informal units in a suite have one or more characteristic features in common that often unite them in a common geological history or mode of origin. See figures 1 and 5.
3.3.3.6 Suites are only given formal names, this being done in accordance with the "general rules for naming and defining geological units" (Chap. 2). The name may consist of a geographical name (or an alternative name in the case of the continental shelf) between the words "the ... Suite", but a descriptive term, such as "Intrusive" or "Metamorphic", may in addition be placed in front of "Suite" (Fig. 5).
3.3.3.7.a Suite corresponds in rank to group in the lithostratigraphical classification system.
3.3.3.7.b A suite may change in character regionally, making it more practical to designate the unit as a lithodeme in areas beyond its type area. The proper name of the originally defined suite can be retained even though the lithodemic rank is changed to lithodeme (see Section 2.5.1).
3.3.3.7.c The term "suite" has previously been used for a lithostratigraphical unit ranking next above group, e.g. the Telemark Suite. Such a unit should now be called a supergroup (see Section 3.2.4). In accordance with the definition given for suite in this Code, volcanic suites that are included in a thick sequence of sedimentary rocks can be defined together with these as a supergroup (see Section 3.2.4.1).
3.3.3.8 Examples: The plutonic and minor intrusive Permian rocks of the Oslo Region have been assigned to "series" (Brøgger 1933). Used in this sense, a "series" can be defined as a "magmatic suite".
3.3.3.9 Key reference: NACSN (1983).
