Congo Craton

geological region, Africa

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June 24, 2026

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The Congo Craton is an ancient geological region in Africa, formed between 3.6 and 2 billion years ago. It is one of five major Precambrian cratons on the continent, characterized by tectonic stability since its formation. This craton is composed of Archean-age rocks, including gneisses, granites, and volcanic rocks, often found in granite-gneiss-greenstone terrains. These rocks provide evidence of early Earth conditions and contain economically significant deposits of gold and uranium. The Congo Craton has remained largely undeformed by younger geological events that shaped other parts of Africa.12

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Africa
General considerations
cratons—Kaapvaal, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Congo, and West African—that were formed between about 3.6 and 2 billion years ago and that basically have been tectonically stable since that time; those cratons are bounded by younger fold belts formed between 2 billion and 300 million years ago. All of those rocks…
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cratons—Kaapvaal, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Congo, and West African—that were formed between about 3.6 and 2 billion years ago and that basically have been tectonically stable since that time; those cratons are bounded by younger fold belts formed between 2 billion and 300 million years ago. All of those rocks…
Read More