Luis Alves craton

geology

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June 30, 2026

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The Luis Alves craton is a significant geological feature of South America, representing a core part of the continent's Precambrian foundation. Cratons are stable blocks of Earth's crust that form the ancient cores of continents. The Luis Alves craton, along with others like Amazonia and São Francisco, makes up the Precambrian core of South America. These cratons are composed of some of the oldest rocks on the continent, including metamorphosed igneous and sedimentary rocks. Rocks dating back to the Archean Eon (2.5 to 4 billion years old) are found in some of these cratons, though precise dating can be scarce. The geological history of South America involves the amalgamation and dispersal of these cratons over vast periods, contributing to the formation of supercontinents like Gondwana and Pangea.12

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South America
The Precambrian
…are known in the Amazonia, Luis Alves, and São Francisco cratons, although precisely dated rock samples are scarce. Ages older than 3 billion years have been reported in the Imataca Complex of Venezuela and in the Xingu area of Brazil, both in the Amazonia craton. The oldest rocks found so…
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…are known in the Amazonia, Luis Alves, and São Francisco cratons, although precisely dated rock samples are scarce. Ages older than 3 billion years have been reported in the Imataca Complex of Venezuela and in the Xingu area of Brazil, both in the Amazonia craton. The oldest rocks found so…
Read More