ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Cratonic sequence

A cratonic sequence is a fancy way of talking about the different layers of rock that cover the Earth's surface. Imagine you're playing with a bunch of toy blocks. Each time you stack a new block on top of another one, you create a different layer. Over millions and millions of years, the Earth's surface went through the same process, except with rocks instead of blocks.


Now, let's talk about the cratonic sequence. A craton is a big piece of land on the Earth's surface that is very old and very stable. It's like the foundation of a house, but for the whole planet! The rocks that make up a craton go through different changes over time, and each change creates a new layer. Scientists use these layers to study the history of the Earth.


The cratonic sequence is the order of all the different layers in a craton. It's like a history book, except instead of reading, you look at the rocks. Each layer has different characteristics, like the color, texture, or type of rock. Scientists can use these characteristics to figure out things like what the climate was like or what kind of animals and plants were living there millions of years ago.


Overall, a cratonic sequence is a way for scientists to learn about the Earth's history by studying the different layers of rock that make up a craton. It's like flipping through a really old photo album, but instead of pictures, it's rocks!
Related topics others have asked about: