craton

[ krey-ton ]

noun

, Geology.

1. a relatively rigid and immobile region of continental portions of the earth's crust.

craton

/ krəˈtɒnɪk; ˈkreɪtən /

noun

1. 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

craton

/ krā′tŏn′ /

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

Derived Forms

• cratonic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of craton¹

1940–45; < German Kraton, based on Greek krátos power; -cracy, -on ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of craton¹

C20: from Greek kratos strength

Example Sentences

Using material from cratons in Australia and Greenland that are billions of years old, the team measured the chemistry of more than 2,000 bits of rock.

From Science News

Most ancient continents, including the Singhbhum Craton, are made of granites, which formed through the melting of pre-existing rocks at the base of the crust.

From Singularity Hub