craton means A part of the Earth’s crust that has survived the splitting and merging of continents. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 85 out of 100.
craton is pronounced /ˈkɹeɪtɒn/.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek κράτος (krátos, “strength, might”). Shortened from original cratogen which was analogical to orogen.
noun
- A part of the Earth’s crust that has survived the splitting and merging of continents.“1988, L. L. Sloss, Chapter 1: Introduction, L. L. Sloss (editor), Sedimentary Cover—North American Craton: U.S., Geological Society of America, The Geology of North America, Volume D-2, page 2,
Application of the concept of a craton circumscribed by surrounding miogeosynclines was particularly vexing to stratigraphers whose study areas extended across the line theoretically delineating distinct te”