craton

(krā′tän)

noun

a stable, broad, horizontal rock formation of the earth's crust, that is the principal part of a continent and its continental shelf

Related Forms:

See craton in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

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

Origin:

Origin: German Kraton

Origin: , from Greek kratos, power; see kar- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

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