This geology image could be re-created using
vector graphics as an
SVG file. This has several advantages; see
Commons:Media for cleanup for more information. If an SVG form of this image is available, please upload it and afterwards replace this template with {{
vector version available|new image name}}.
It is recommended to name the SVG file “North america craton nps.svg”—then the template
Vector version available (or
Vva) does not need the new image name parameter.
The brown area shows the part of the North American
continent that has been stable for over 600 million years. This region is made up of a basement older
Precambrianmetamorphic and
igneous rock that is mostly covered by a relatively thin cover of younger
sedimentary rock.
Geologists call these long-stable continental cores
cratons.
The green area on the illustration shows new continental material that was added relatively recently, within the last 600 million years or so. Continents can grow when two
plates collide, welding, or accreting, the two pieces together. Continents also grow when
oceanic crust is scraped off oceanic plates as they sink in
subduction zones.
The purple area fringing the stable continental core is made up of older Precambrian basement that was deformed during plate collisions that occurred within the last 600 million years. The force of collision produced great
folds and
faults that sometimes penetrated deep into the continental interior. Where the crust was uplifted, these folds and faults are exposed at the surface, allowing geologists to piece together the ancient history of our continent.
This geology image could be re-created using
vector graphics as an
SVG file. This has several advantages; see
Commons:Media for cleanup for more information. If an SVG form of this image is available, please upload it and afterwards replace this template with {{
vector version available|new image name}}.
It is recommended to name the SVG file “North america craton nps.svg”—then the template
Vector version available (or
Vva) does not need the new image name parameter.
The brown area shows the part of the North American
continent that has been stable for over 600 million years. This region is made up of a basement older
Precambrianmetamorphic and
igneous rock that is mostly covered by a relatively thin cover of younger
sedimentary rock.
Geologists call these long-stable continental cores
cratons.
The green area on the illustration shows new continental material that was added relatively recently, within the last 600 million years or so. Continents can grow when two
plates collide, welding, or accreting, the two pieces together. Continents also grow when
oceanic crust is scraped off oceanic plates as they sink in
subduction zones.
The purple area fringing the stable continental core is made up of older Precambrian basement that was deformed during plate collisions that occurred within the last 600 million years. The force of collision produced great
folds and
faults that sometimes penetrated deep into the continental interior. Where the crust was uplifted, these folds and faults are exposed at the surface, allowing geologists to piece together the ancient history of our continent.