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The continental part of the South American Plate, the South American continent, can be divided into three major geotectonic units: the Neoproterozoic South American Platform, the Paleozoic Patagonian Platform and the Mesozoic Andean Belt.

The basement of the South American Platform was formed during the so-called Brasiliano Cycle (900 - 500 Ma) through convergence, collision and finally fusion of fragments of supercontinent Rodinia. Together with (proto) Africa, it constituted the western part of supercontinent Gondwana.

During the Paleozoic (542 - 251 Ma), two mayor landmasses (Somun Cura and Deseado) that nowadays constitute the mayor part of the Patagonian Platform, were added to West Gondwana.

After the separation of South America and Africa and the opening of the South Atlantic during the late Mesozoic (90 Ma), South America (including Patagonia) drifted westwards.

Subduction of the Pacific Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate led to the formation of the Andes.