craton

cra·ton  (krtn)

n.

A large portion of a continental plate that has been relatively undisturbed since the Precambrian era and includes both shield and platform layers.

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[German Kraton, from Greek kratos, power; see kar- in Indo-European roots.]

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cra·tonic (kr-tnk) adj.

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craton [ˈkreɪt^ən]

n

(Earth Sciences / Geological Science) Geology a stable part of the earth's continental crust or lithosphere that has not been deformed significantly for many millions, even hundreds of millions, of years See shield [7]

[from Greek kratos strength]

cratonic  [krəˈtɒnɪk] adj

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craton  (krtn)

A large portion of a continental plate that has been relatively undisturbed since the Precambrian era and includes both shield and platform layers.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

craton - the part of a continent that is stable and forms the central mass of the continent; typically Precambrian continent - one of the large landmasses of the earth; "there are seven continents"; "pioneers had to cross the continent on foot" part, piece - a portion of a natural object; "they analyzed the river into three parts"; "he needed a piece of granite"