The Australian Shield is a geological feature known as a shield that occupies more than half of the continent of Australia. The word shield is used because it refers to ancient, molten rock which has cooled and solidified.
Basic geological regions of Australia, by age.
The Pilbara Craton is an old and stable part of the continental lithosphere located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Satellite view in 2013 of Pilbara Craton
Apex chert
Image: Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia, version 7
Image: Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia, version 7