What is a craton?
Craton: /'kreiton/ noun, geol, a relatively rigid and immobile part of the earth's crust that has been stable for at least 1 500 million years; the stable interior portion of a continent characteristically composed of firm crystalline basement rock. It distinguishes such regions from less stable areas, which are subject to subsidence. Many cratons are host to precious metals and other natural resources, like the Australian Yilgarn Craton, the Canadian Craton or the South African Kaapvaal Craton. Origin: from the Greek kratos meaning strength.
