N/A — Exam

Question 46 • Physics in the Universe

Today, parts of the Kaapvaal Craton can be found in South Africa and Western Australia. What does that tell us about its history since its formation?

Answer

Differentiation caused volcanic outgassing that fractured the craton into separate pieces that shifted to their current positions over time.

Forces of continental movement broke the craton apart, and smaller parts of it collided and joined with other microcontinents.

It remained intact until very recently when ocean water eroded its center to separate the two pieces.

Mantle convection caused the craton to sink toward Earth's core and then be lifted back to the surface.

Explanation

The Kaapvaal Craton is an ancient piece of continental crust, and finding parts of it in both South Africa and Western Australia indicates that the crust has been moved and rearranged over geologic time. Continental movement can split crustal blocks, which may later collide and join with other microcontinents. Ocean erosion cannot divide continental crust on this scale, and the craton did not sink to Earth’s core.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

More from this Course

Practice Exam

Test

Test