Continental crustal fragments, partially synonymous with
microcontinents, are fragments of
continents that have been broken off from main continental masses forming distinct islands, often several hundred kilometers from their place of origin. All continents are fragments; the terms "continental fragment" and "microcontinent" are restricted to those smaller than
Australia. Other than perhaps
Zealandia, they are not known to contain a
craton or fragment of a craton. Continental fragments include some
seamounts and underwater plateaus.