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
Idealized cross-section of Earth's lithosphere, including the relationship between cratons, shields and platforms (Abbreviations: cb=cratonic basin, LIP=large igneous province, MOR=mid-ocean ridge)

In geology, platform is a craton covered with sediments. It can be classified into the following groups: a "protoplatform" of metamorphosed sediments at the bottom, a "quasiplatform" of slightly deformed sediments, a "cataplatform", and an "orthoplatform" at the top. The Mesoproterozoic Jotnian sediments of the Baltic area are examples of a "quasiplatform". The post-Ordovician rocks of the South American Platform are examples of an orthoplatform.

See also