Platform (geology)

Geologic provinces of the world (USGS)

  Shield

  Platform

  Orogen

  Basin

  Large igneous province

  Extended crust

Oceanic crust:

  0–20 Ma

  20–65 Ma

  >65 Ma

In geology, a platform is a continental area covered by relatively flat or gently tilted, mainly sedimentary strata, which overlie a basement of consolidated igneous or metamorphic rocks of an earlier deformation. Platforms, shields and the basement rocks together constitute cratons.

See also

• List of shields and cratons
• Carbonate platform

References

• Parker, Sybil P. (Ed.). 1997. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Geology and Mineralogy. New York: McGraw-Hill.