Craton (Noun)
Meaning
The part of a continent that is stable and forms the central mass of the continent; typically Precambrian.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made).
Examples
- The North American craton is one of the oldest and most stable parts of the continent, with rocks dating back over 2.5 billion years.
- The Kaapvaal craton in South Africa is a well-preserved example of an ancient craton, with rocks formed over 3.6 billion years ago.
- The Australian craton is composed of several smaller cratons that merged together over time to form the modern continent.
- The craton of India is thought to have formed over 2.5 billion years ago and has remained relatively unchanged since then.
- The craton of Brazil is part of the larger South American craton, which covers much of the eastern part of the continent.