continent formation

continent formation [¦känt·ən¦ent·əl fər′mā·shən]

(geology)

A series of six or seven major episodes, resulting from the buildup of radioactive heat and then the melting or partial melting of the earth's interior; the molten rock melt rises to the surface, differentiating into less primitive lavas; the continent then nucleates, differentiates, and grows from oceanic crust and mantle.