Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134074254
ISBN 13: 978-0-13407-425-2

Chapter 22 - Section 22.4 - Precambrian History: The Formation of Earth’s Continents - Concept Checks - Page 680: 2

Answer

Cratons, which are the oldest and most stable parts of the Earth's continental crust, came into being through a process known as accretion. Over billions of years, smaller landmasses, called terranes, collided and merged with each other to form larger landmasses. These accreted landmasses eventually became the cores of the continents we see today. Cratons are the remnants of ancient continents that have withstood significant geological processes and tectonic events.

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