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

They used these values to create thermal models of craton formation.

From Science Daily

The churning mantle can cause ripples at the craton’s base, setting off eruptions over tens of millions of years, helping explain why many kimberlites seem to migrate toward continental interiors over such a long time.

From New York Times

Jackson, who once helped evaluate lease blocks in a region of Mali several hundred kilometers away from Bourakébougou, believes greenstone belts deep in the West African craton are driving the hydrogen production there.

From Science Magazine

“At the very edge of the craton we get these carbonatite lavas,” he says.

From Science Magazine

New York City was on the edge of the craton — imagine Japan with respect to Asia.

From New York Times