The Western Blue Ridge (WBR) is made up of sedimentary rocks derived from ancient North America. These rocks have been metamorphosed to low to intermediate temperatures and pressures.
The Eastern Blue Ridge (EBR) is made up of clastic metasedimentary rocks, mafic to ultramafic bodies, derformed granitoids, and Grenville basement rocks that have been metamorphosed to high temperatures and pressures. Possible sources include distal North America or an exotic terrane. The Inner Piedmont (P) is a composite stack of plastic thrust sheets consisting of schists, gneisses, amphibolites, and deformed granitoids that have been metamorphosed at high temperatures and pressures.

The Kings Mountain Belt (KMB) is made up of intensely deformed clastic metasedimentary, volcanic, and carbonate rocks that have been metamorphosed at intermediate temperatures and pressures. These rocks may have been shallow marine deposits proximal to a volcanic arc. The Charlotte Belt (CB) is made up of deformed granitic rocks that have been metamorphosed at intermediate temperatures and pressures and intruded by younger granites, syenites, and gabbros. This belt could have been the infrastructure of a volcanic island arc. The Carolina Slate Belt (CSB) consists of volcanic and sedimentary rocks metamorphosed at low temperatures and pressures and intruded by a variety of igneous rocks. It was originally in a volcanic arc setting. It is considered part of Gondwana on the basis of fossils.

CP = Coastal Plain; BZ = Brevard Zone; VR = Valley and Ridge Province;