The
Río de la Plata Craton (
RPC) is a medium-sized continental block found in
Uruguay, eastern
Argentina and southern
Brazil. During its complex and protracted history it interacted with a series other blocks and is therefore considered important for the understanding of the amalgamation of West Gondwana. Two orogenic cycles have been identified in the RPC: a 2000 Ma-old western domain representing the old craton and a 700–500 Ma-old eastern domain assigned to the
Brasiliano Cycle. It is one of the five
cratons (ancient nuclei) of the
South American continent. The other four cratons are:
Amazonia,
São Francisco,
Río Apa and
Arequipa–Antofalla.