A part of the Earth’s crust that has survived the splitting and merging of continents.
Cratons of South America and Africa during the Triassic Period when the two continents were joined as part of the Pangea supercontinent
A part of the Earth’s crust that has survived the splitting and merging of continents.
Geologic provinces of the world (USGS) Shield Platform Orogen Basin Large igneous province Extended crust Oceanic crust: 0–20 Ma 20–65 Ma >65 Ma
A part of the Earth’s crust that has survived the splitting and merging of continents.
Idealized cross-section of Earth's lithosphere, including the relationship between cratons, shields and platforms (Abbreviations: cb=cratonic basin, LIP=large igneous province, MOR=mid-ocean ridge)