Accretionary orogens form at convergent plate boundaries, including both intraoceanic and continental margins. They consist of three components: the supra-subduction zone forearc, magmatic arc, and back-arc. These orogens can be categorized into retreating and advancing types based on their kinematic framework and geological characteristics. Retreating orogens, such as those in the modern western Pacific, undergo long-term extension due to the retreat of the lower plate relative to the overriding plate, leading to the formation of back-arc basins. Advancing orogens, exemplified by the Andes, develop when the overriding plate advances towards the downgoing plate, resulting in the formation of foreland fold and thrust belts and crustal thickening. Cratonization of accretionary orogens occurs during ongoing plate convergence and involves transient coupling across the plate boundary, with strain concentrated in zones of mechanical and thermal weakening. Potential driving mechanisms for this coupling include accretion of buoyant lithosphere, flat-slab subduction, and rapid absolute upper plate motion. Accretionary orogens have been active throughout Earth's history, extending back at least 3.2 billion years, and play a crucial role in the growth and consumption of continental crust. They provide significant mineral deposits and are key to understanding tectonic processes and crustal evolution.Accretionary orogens form at convergent plate boundaries, including both intraoceanic and continental margins. They consist of three components: the supra-subduction zone forearc, magmatic arc, and back-arc. These orogens can be categorized into retreating and advancing types based on their kinematic framework and geological characteristics. Retreating orogens, such as those in the modern western Pacific, undergo long-term extension due to the retreat of the lower plate relative to the overriding plate, leading to the formation of back-arc basins. Advancing orogens, exemplified by the Andes, develop when the overriding plate advances towards the downgoing plate, resulting in the formation of foreland fold and thrust belts and crustal thickening. Cratonization of accretionary orogens occurs during ongoing plate convergence and involves transient coupling across the plate boundary, with strain concentrated in zones of mechanical and thermal weakening. Potential driving mechanisms for this coupling include accretion of buoyant lithosphere, flat-slab subduction, and rapid absolute upper plate motion. Accretionary orogens have been active throughout Earth's history, extending back at least 3.2 billion years, and play a crucial role in the growth and consumption of continental crust. They provide significant mineral deposits and are key to understanding tectonic processes and crustal evolution.