CONTINENTS GROW WITH TIME AS MATERIAL ACCRETES TO THEIR EDGES

CONTINENTAL INTERIORS CONTAIN LARGE LOWLYING AREAS OF IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS OLDER THAN ABOUT 500 MY, CALLED CRATONS, SHIELDS, OR PLATFORMS

THESE ARE THE ERODED REMAINS OF OLDER EPISODES OF MOUNTAIN BUILDING, COLLISIONS, ETC..

THESE ARE BORDERED BY PROGRESSIVELY YOUNGER BELTS OF ROCKS REFLECTING MOUNTAIN BUILDING AND THE ACCRETION OF TERRANES