What is the term for the large, stable parts of the earth's continental crust?

The term for the large, stable parts of the Earth's continental crust is "cratons." Cratons are ancient, significant geological formations that form the foundation of continents. They consist of a stable interior that has remained largely undisturbed for millions of years, typically composed of crystalline rock. This stability allows cratons to act as the geological nucleus upon which continental landmasses are built and evolve.

Cratons are characterized by their low relief and presence of ancient rocks, which distinguish them from actively forming or tectonically evolving regions. They play an essential role in understanding the geological history of the Earth and how continents develop over geological time. Other choices like mountains, continents, and plates refer to different geological concepts and formations that do not specifically capture the stability and ancient character of cratons. Mountains are elevated landforms resulting from tectonic activities, continents are broad landmasses that may include various geological formations, and plates refer to the tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them.