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Amazonia Craton

geology
Also known as: Brazilian Shield

Quick Summary

The Amazonia Craton is a significant geological feature in South America, representing a core part of the continent's Precambrian foundation. It is one of five major cratons that form the ancient heart of South America, with rocks dating back to the Archean Eon, some as old as 3.4 billion years.12

The Amazonia Craton was shaped by two major Precambrian cycles of crustal deformation: the Trans-Amazonian cycle (approximately 2.2 to 1.8 billion years ago) and the Brazilian cycle (about 900 to 570 million years ago). These cycles involved the amalgamation and dispersal of continental crust, contributing to the formation of supercontinents like Gondwana and Pangea. The craton's geological history includes the development of mountain chains, the deposition of sedimentary rocks, and the emplacement of igneous intrusions.12

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