Oblique strain partitioning and transpression on an inverted rift: The Castilian Branch of the Iberian Chain

The Iberian Chain is a wide intraplate deformation zone formed by the tectonic inversion during the Pyrenean orogeny of a Permian–Mesozoic basin developed in the eastern part of the Iberian Massif. The N–S convergence between Iberia and Eurasia from the Late Cretaceous to the Lower Miocene times produced significant intraplate deformation. The NW–SE oriented Castilian Branch of the Iberian Chain can be considered as a “key zone” where the proposed models for the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Iberian Chain can be tested. Structural style of basin inversion suggests mainly strike–slip displacements along previous NW–SE normal faults, developed mostly during the Mesozoic. To confirm this hypothesis, structural and basin evolution analysis, macrostructural Bouguer gravity anomaly analysis, detailed mapping and paleostress inversions have been used to prove the important role of strike slip deformation. In addition, we demonstrate that two main folding trends almost perpendicular (NE–SW to E–W and NW–SE) were simultaneously active in a wide transpressive zone. The two fold trends were generated by different mechanical behaviour, including buckling and bending under constrictive strain conditions. We propose that strain partitioning occurred with oblique compression and transpression during the Cenozoic.     

动态古地貌再造: Badlands软件在盆地分析中的应用*

近几年来的研究发现,当存在较强的构造活动时,古地理特征变化将会加快,而常规方法很难对这一构造活动过程中的古地理和古地貌进行有效的恢复和研究。Basin and Landscape Dynamics(Badlands)软件正是基于前人的研究工作而开发的一款数值模拟软件,用于模拟各种空间和时间尺度的地貌演化。它可用于研究地表演化过程、预测侵蚀和沉积速率并评估沉积物通量,从而实现对古地理和古地貌进行更为精细化的研究。笔者介绍了Badlands软件的基本原理和方法,并将此方法应用于东海陆架盆地南部中生代地貌及地质演化过程的研究: 首先利用研究区域内现有的地震剖面、测井、平衡剖面等资料获得中生代早期的古地形;再通过恢复的古地形构建数值模型,并加载降雨量、岩石侵蚀性、海平面变化、动力地形调整和地壳弹性层厚度等相关参数进行模拟研究,以分析强烈的构造运动对盆地地貌演化的影响;最后对比模拟结果与已知的中生代的地貌特征和沉积分布,并据此进一步分析中生代盆地演化过程中的沉积物分布规律以及三维古地理和古地貌演化特征。该方法可以为沉积盆地充填过程分析和能源矿产勘探提供有益的思路。     

西南天山乌什北山高山峡谷地貌形成过程

地貌演化过程受大地构造及其规律的控制。本文通过对西南天山乌什北山地区滚滚铁列克河第四纪沉积和侵蚀地貌的观测,结合已发表的地层年代学研究,恢复了中更新世和全新世两期侵蚀地貌演化过程。中更新世地貌切割深度达1870 m以上,远远大于全新世50 m的地貌切割深度,认为该地区的高山峡谷地貌形成于中更新世。西南天山普遍发育的中更新世褶皱冲断构造,造成山体快速大幅隆升,是乌什北山高山峡谷地貌形成的主因。褶皱冲断构造向盆地方向扩展,导致山体向盆地方向隆升幅度减小,揭示了乌什北山地貌演化的空间规律。西南天山第四纪构造隆升过程与地貌演化之间存在密切关系。     

下刚果盆地白垩系盐构造的形成演化

下刚果盆地具有巨大的油气资源和潜力,盐构造控制着油气成藏和分布。其盐岩流动的不规律性,增加了盐构造的形成演化和演化期次分析的难度,前人主要通过平衡剖面恢复的方法对断裂等构造形态进行定量恢复,但对盐构造形成演化过程的认识及变形期次刻画的准确性明显不足。本文基于数值模拟手段,通过沉积地层的分时期加载方法,正演了下刚果盆地的构造演化过程,探讨并明确了盐构造的演化阶段。数值模拟结果表明,下刚果盆地盐构造的形成主要分为3个阶段：盐岩初始流动阶段、盐构造形成阶段和构造稳定阶段。形成底辟构造的主要时期是古新世-中新世。其中,古新世-渐新世开始形成底辟构造,中新世多个大规模底辟构造形成,且该时期是盐构造活动最强烈时期。在此基础上进一步完成了下刚果盆地盐构造活动变形与重力作用流动、上覆沉积地层厚度不均一以及沉积扇体的进积作用关系分析。     

3D structural model of the Polish Basin

A 3D structural modelling of the Permian–Mesozoic Polish Basin was performed in order to understand its structural and sedimentary evolution, which led to basin maturation (Permian–Cretaceous) and its tectonic inversion (Late Cretaceous–Paleogene). The model is built on the present-day structure of the basin and comprises 13 horizons within the Permian to Quaternary rocks. The analysis is based on 3D depth views and thickness maps. The results image the basin-scale symmetry, the perennial localization of the NW–SE-oriented basin axis, the salt movements due to tectonics and/or burial, and the transverse segmentation of the Polish Basin. From these observations, we deduce that salt structures are correlated to the main faults and tectonic events. From the model analysis, we interpret the stress conditions, the timing, and the geometry of the tectonic inversion of the Polish Basin into a NW–SE-oriented central horst (Mid-Polish Swell) bordered by two lateral troughs. Emphasis is placed on the Zechstein salt, considering its movements during the Mesozoic sedimentation and its decoupling effect during the tectonic inversion. Moreover, we point to the structural control of the Paleozoic basement and the crustal architecture (Teisseyre–Tornquist Zone) on the geometry of the Polish Basin and the Mid-Polish Swell.     

The Glueckstadt Graben, a sedimentary record between the North and Baltic Sea in north Central Europe

The Glueckstadt Graben is one of the deepest post-Permian structures within the Central European Basin system and is located right at its “heart” at the transition from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea and from the Lower Saxony Basin to the Rynkoebing–Fyn High.The Mesozoic to recent evolution is investigated by use of selected seismic lines, seismic flattening and a 3D structural model. A major tectonic event in the latest Middle–Late Triassic (Keuper) was accompanied by strong salt tectonics within the Glueckstadt Graben. At that time, a rapid subsidence took place within the central part, which provides the “core” of the Glueckstadt Graben. The post-Triassic tectonic evolution of the area does not follow the typical scheme of thermal subsidence. In contrast, it seems that there is a slow progressive activation of salt movements triggered by the initial Triassic event. Starting with the Jurassic, the subsidence centre partitioned into two parts located adjacent to the Triassic “core.” In comparison with other areas of the Central European Basin system, the Glueckstadt Graben was not strongly affected by additional Jurassic and Cretaceous events. During the late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, the area around the Glueckstadt Graben was affected by relative uplift with regional erosion of the elevated relief. However, subsidence was reactivated and accelerated during the Cenozoic when a strong subsidence centre developed in the North Sea. During Paleogene and Quaternary–Neogene, the two centres of sedimentation moved gradually towards the flanks of the basin.The data indeed point toward a control of post-Permian evolution by gradual withdrawal of salt triggered by the initial exhaustion along the Triassic subsidence centre. In this sense, the Glueckstadt Graben was formed at least partially as “basin scale rim syncline” during post-Permian times. The present day Hamburger, East and Westholstein Troughs are the actual final state of this long-term process which still may continue and may play a role in terms of young processes and, e.g., for coastal protection.     

Cenozoic uplift and subsidence in the North Atlantic region: Geological evidence revisited

The topographic evolution of the “passive” margins of the North Atlantic during the last 65 Myr is the subject of extensive debate due to inherent limitations of the geological, geomorphological and geophysical methods used for studies of uplift and subsidence. We have compiled a database of sign, time and amplitude (where possible) of topographic changes in the North Atlantic region during the Cenozoic (65–0 Ma). Our compilation is based on published results from reflection seismic studies, AFT (apatite fission track) studies, VR (vitrinite reflectance) trends, maximum burial, sediment supply studies, mass balance calculations and extrapolation of seismic profiles to onshore geomorphological features. The integration of about 200 published results reveal a clear pattern of topographic changes in the North Atlantic region during the Cenozoic: (1) The first major phase of Cenozoic regional uplift occurred in the late Palaeocene–early Eocene (ca 60–50 Ma), probably related to the break-up of the North Atlantic between Europe and Greenland, as indicated by the northward propagation of uplift. It was preceded by middle Palaeocene uplift and over-deepening of some basins of the North Sea and the surrounding areas. (2) A regional increase in subsidence in the offshore marginal areas of Norway, the northern North Sea, the northern British Isles and west Greenland took place in the Eocene (ca 57–35 Ma). (3) The Oligocene and Miocene (35–5 Ma) were characterized by regional tectonic quiescence, with only localised uplift, probably related to changes in plate dynamics. (4) The second major phase of regional uplift that affected all marginal areas of the North Atlantic occurred in the Plio-Pleistocene (5–0 Ma). Its amplitude was enhanced by erosion-driven glacio-isostatic compensation. Despite inconclusive evidence, this phase is likely to be ongoing at present.     

洞庭盆地第四纪地质研究进展——1：25万常德市幅和岳阳市幅区域地质调查主要成果

1：25万常德市幅和岳阳市幅区域地质调查项目在详细的野外地质调查、大量的钻孔资料和分析测试工作基础上,对洞庭盆地第四纪地质特征及演化进行了重点研究,取得以下重要进展：①厘定了洞庭盆地及周缘隆。凹构造格局;重新建立了露头区及覆盖区地层系统。②分别对洞庭盆地各次级构造单元及其周缘地区的第四纪构造活动、沉积特征及环境演化等进...     

覆盖区地质调查中的盆山构造地貌关系研究:以东天山-吐哈盆地为例

西北地区中-新生代以来发育系列断陷盆地,盆地内的覆盖层结构及其与周缘造山带之间的盆山构造地貌关系是研究大陆动力学的基础性问题.在覆盖区地质调查工作中,利用地质学、地球物理学、地球化学、钻探等多种方法手段,可以对覆盖区盆地的结构形态、盆地边界构造属性、沉积物分布特征、沉积过程的源汇体系进行系统的分析研究,帮助深入理解覆盖区的沉积过程、山脉隆升剥露过程以及构造地貌演化过程.基于新疆吐哈盆地覆盖区的地质调查工作,本研究提出并实践了在覆盖区开展盆山构造地貌关系研究的技术方法体系.通过野外地质调查和室内测试分析,结合重力、航磁、地震等地球物理勘探方法以及钻孔岩心分析,系统分析和探讨了哈密盆地中-新生代覆盖层三维结构、控盆控貌构造及源汇系统,建立了研究区与相邻造山带之间的盆山耦合关系及构造地貌演化过程,为覆盖区地质调查过程中开展盆山构造地貌过程的研究提供了示范.      

伊宁地块石炭纪火山岩及其对构造演化的约束

西天山伊宁地块的构造格局及其演化之认识久存争议,倍受关注。分歧焦点有三:(1)石炭纪有无洋盆存在?(2)若有洋盆,何时闭合?(3)"沟-弧-盆"消亡时究竟是单向俯冲还是双向俯冲?若是单向俯冲,俯冲方向是由北向南或是相反(即俯冲极性)?因此,这些重大地质问题均聚焦于本区的火山岩。石炭纪火山岩是伊宁地块中的最主要建造和指示构造演化的关键层位,争论长久而激烈。本文认为,伊宁地块早石炭世发育弧前-岛弧-弧后盆地钙碱性火山-沉积建造,是塔里木板块北缘的主要组成部分;而晚石炭世碱性系列双峰式火山岩及其沉积组合则是大陆裂谷火山-沉积建造,形成于区域性伸展构造环境,是准噶尔板块与塔里木板块缝合后的陆内建造,因而古洋盆的关闭时限是早石炭世晚期(鄯善运动)。依据区内早石炭世建造的空间分布和变化规律,作者们认为古天山洋盆与当今地学界作为典型的日本沟-弧-盆体系有着极好的相似性和空间分布可对比性。石炭纪火山岩为本区的构造演化研究提供了重要的约束信息。     

大地构造相在东昆仑造山带地质填图中的应用

不同的造山带是由不同的大地构造相单元组合而成, 大地构造相的划分揭示了造山带的基本框架和形成演化的规律.在对东昆仑造山带1∶2 5万冬给措纳湖幅地质填图中, 以时间演化和大地构造背景为主线, 根据不同演化阶段、不同部位出现的构造古地理单元、盆地类型和物质建造类型, 对填图区大地构造相进行了较精细深入划分, 共划分出七大相类、2 1种相, 如扩张洋脊相、分支(扩张) 海槽相、碳酸盐岩海山相、碳酸盐岩台地相、深海平原相、大陆碎块相、前陆盆地相和磨拉石盆地相等, 编制了1∶2 5万冬给措纳湖幅大地构造相图和造山作用过程与大地构造相演变图.大地构造相在地质填图中的应用进一步深化了造山带填图中的地层单元空间配置关系和盆地沉积充填序列的研究, 较全面细致地揭示了东昆仑造山带东段造山带形成、物质组成及演化过程      

云南曲靖盆地构造演化及其对生物气成藏条件的控制

曲靖盆地是在云南省发现的具有工业价值生物气藏的第三系沉积盆地之一。利用二维地震测线结合地质和钻井等资料开展了详细的构造和沉积解释,对曲靖盆地的构造特征、盆地形成和演化进行了较为系统的综合研究,分析了构造演化对生物气成藏条件的控制作用。曲靖盆地的早—中渐新世的断陷阶段为大套湖相暗色泥岩(蔡家冲组)形成时期;渐新世晚期—上新世早期为盆地整体抬升萎缩阶段,避免了蔡家冲组有机质的大量消耗,保存了第四纪以来生物气成藏的有机物质;晚上新世的盆地坳陷阶段为茨营组含煤层系(次要气源岩)、储集层、盖层和岩性圈闭形成的主要时期;上新世末的压扭抬升萎缩阶段是断背斜和断鼻等构造圈闭和构造—岩性复合圈闭发育时期;第四纪盆地稳定沉降阶段为生物气聚集成藏时期。     

1∶25万常德市幅区域地质调查主要进展及成果

1∶25万常德市幅区域地质调查项目对洞庭盆地第四纪地质特征及演化进行了重点研究,取得以下主要进展及成果:①厘定了洞庭盆地及周缘隆-凹构造格局,并分别对洞庭盆地各次级构造单元及其周缘地区的第四纪地质特征及演化进行了详细解剖。②通过孢粉组合和沉积物地球化学特征重塑了第四纪气候演化过程;通过重矿物组合探讨了洞庭盆地南部河湖变迁以及构造沉降过程。③确定洞庭盆地早更新世—中更新世中期处于断陷阶段、中更新世晚期以来处于拗陷阶段,并详细查明了各阶段构造活动特征,提出了新的构造活动动力机制模式。④新提出“构造-沉积地貌类型”的概念,对图区进行了构造-沉积地貌类型的划分。     

关于编制盆地构造演化剖面的几个问题的讨论

本文根据平衡剖面原理,从构造地质学基本原理出发,讨论了采用“地层回剥”方法编制构造演化剖面时遇到的影响古构造复原的若干问题,强调建立平衡地质剖面和利用平衡剖面技术编制盆地构造演化剖面时,“地质概念上”的平衡和地质逻辑上的合理比纯粹的“几何学上”的平衡更重要。     

Structure of the lithosphere beneath the Eastern Alps (southern sector of the TRANSALP transect)

The interpretation of the seismic Vibroseis and explosive TRANSALP profiles has examined the upper crustal structures according to the near-surface geological evidences and reconstructions which were extrapolated to depth. Only the southern sector of the TRANSALP transect has been discussed in details, but its relationship with the whole explored chain has been considered as well. The seismic images indicate that pre-collision and deep collision structures of the Alps are not easily recognizable. Conversely, good records of the Neo-Alpine to present architecture were provided by the seismic sections.Two general interpretation models (“Crocodile” and “Extrusion”) have been sketched by the TRANSALP Working Group [2002]. Both illustrate the continental collision producing strong mechanical interaction of the facing European and African margins, as documented by giant lithosphere wedging processes. Arguments consistent with the “Extrusion” model and with the indentation of Adriatic (Southalpine) lithosphere underneath the Tauern Window (TW) are:

– According to the previous DSS reconstructions, the Bouguer anomalies and the Receiver Functions seismological data, the European Moho descends regularly attaining a zone south of the Periadriatic Lineament (PL). The Moho boundary and its geometry appear to be rather convincing from images of the seismic profile;

– the Tauern Window intense uplift and exhumation is coherent with the strong compression regime, which acted at depth, thus originating the upward and lateral displacement of the mobile and ductile Penninic masses according to the “Extrusion” model;

– the indentation of the Penninic mobile masses within the colder and more rigid Adriatic crust cannot be easily sustained. Wedging of the Adriatic stiffened lower crust, under high stresses and into the weaker Penninic domain, can be a more suitable hypothesis. Furthermore, the intrusion of the European Penninic crustal wedge underneath the Dolomites upper crust is not supported by any significant uplifting of the Dolomites. The total average uplift of the Dolomites during the Neogene appears to be 6−7 times smaller than that recognized in the TW. Markedly the northward dip of the PL, reaching a depth of approximately 20 km, is proposed in our interpretation;

– finally, the Adriatic upper crustal evolution points to the late post-collision change in the tectonic grow-up of the Eastern Alps orogenic chain. The tectonic accretion of the northern frontal zone of the Eastern and Central Alps was interrupted from the Late Miocene (Serravallian–Tortonian) onward, as documented by the Molasse basin evolution. On the contrary, the structural nucleation along the S-vergent tectonic belt of the eastern Southern Alps (Montello–Friuli thrust belt) severely continued during the Messinian and the Plio–Pleistocene. This structural evolution can be considered to be consistent with the deep under-thrusting and wedge indentation of the Adriatic lithosphere underneath the southern side of the Eastern Alps thrust-and-fold belt.

Similarly, the significance of the magmatic activity for the construction of the Southern Alps crust and for its mechanical and geological differentiation, which qualified the evolution of the thrust-and-fold belt, is highlighted, starting with the Permian–Triassic magmatism and progressing with the Paleogene occurrences along the Periadriatic Lineament and in the Venetian Magmatic Province (Lessini–Euganei Hills).     

The geological and geodynamic evolution of the eastern Black Sea basin: insights from 2-D and 3-D tectonic modelling

Subsidence mechanisms that may have controlled the evolution of the eastern Black Sea have been studied and simulated using a numerical model that integrates structural, thermal, isostatic and surface processes in both two- (2-D) and three-dimensions (3-D). The model enables the forward modelling of extensional basin evolution followed by deformation due to subsequent extensional and compressional events. Seismic data show that the eastern Black Sea has evolved via a sequence of interrelated tectonic events that began with early Tertiary rifting followed by several phases of compression, mainly confined to the edges of the basin. A large magnitude (approximately 12 km) of regional subsidence also occurred in the central basin throughout the Tertiary. Models that simulate the magnitude of observed fault controlled extension (β=1.13) do not reproduce the total depth of the basin. Similarly, the modelling of compressional deformation around the edges of the basin does little to enhance subsidence in the central basin. A modelling approach that quantifies lithosphere extension according to the amount of observed crustal thinning and thickening across the basin provides the closest match to overall subsidence. The modelling also shows that deep crustal and mantle–lithosphere processes can significantly influence the rate and magnitude of syn- to post-rift subsidence and shows that such mechanisms may have played an important role in forming the anomalously thin syn-rift and thick Miocene–Quaternary sequences observed in the basin. It is also suggested that extension of a 40–45 km thick pre-rift crust is required to generate the observed magnitude of total subsidence when considering a realistic bathymetry.     

A structural synthesis of the Proterozoic Arabian-Nubian Shield in Egypt

Detailed structural geological and related studies were carried out in a number of critical areas in the Proterozoic basement of eastern Egypt to resolve the structural pattern at a regional scale and to assess the general characteristics of tectonic evolution, orogeny and terrane boundaries. Following a brief account of the tectonostratigraphy and timing of the orogenic evolution, the major structural characteristics of the critical areas are presented. Collisional deformation of the terranes ended about 615-600 Ma ago. Subsequent extensional collapse probably occurred within a relatively narrow time span of about 20 Ma (575 – 595 Ma ago) over the Eastern Desert and was followed by a further period of about 50 Ma of late to post-tectonic activity. The regional structures originated mainly during post-collisional events, starting with those related to extensional collapse (molasse basin formation, normal faulting, generation of metamorphic core complexes). Subsequent NNW-SSE shortening is documented by large-scale thrusting (towards the NNW) and folding, distributed over the Eastern Desert, although with variable intensity. Thrusts are overprinted by transpression, which was localized to particular shear zones. Early transpression produced, for example, the Allaqi shear zone and final transpression is documented in the Najd and Wadi Kharit-Wadi Hodein zones. Two terrane boundaries can be defined, the Allaqi and South Hafafit Sutures, which are apparently linked by the high angle sinistral strike-slip Wadi Kharit-Wadi Hodein shear zone with a tectonic transport of about 300 km towards the W/NW. In general, the tectonic evolution shows that extensional collapse is not necessarily the final stage of orogeny, but may be followed by further compressional and transpressional tectonism. The late Pan-African high angle faults were reactivated during Red Sea tectonics both as Riedel shears and normal faults, where they were oriented favourably with respect to the actual stress regime.     

Oligocene–Miocene formation of the Haifa basin: Qishon–Sirhan rifting coeval with the Red Sea–Suez rift system

During mid-Oligocene to early-Miocene times the northeastern Afro-Arabian plate underwent changes, from continental breakup along the Red Sea in the south, to continental collision with Eurasia in the north and formation of the N–S trending Dead Sea fault plate boundary. Concurrent uplift and erosion of the entire Levant area led to an incomplete sedimentary record, obscuring reconstructions of the transition between the two tectonic regimes. New well data, obtained on the continental shelf of the central Levant margin (Qishon Yam 1), revealed a uniquely undisturbed sedimentary sequence which covers this time period. Evaporitic facies found in this well have only one comparable location in the entire eastern Mediterranean area (onland and offshore) over the same time frame — the Red Sea–Suez rift system. Analysis of 4150 km of multi and single-channel seismic profiles, offshore central Levant, shows that the sequence was deposited in a narrow basin, restricted to the continental shelf. This basin (the Haifa Basin) evolved as a half graben along the NW trending Carmel fault, which at present is one of the main branches of the Dead Sea fault. Re-evaluation of geological data onland, in view of the new findings offshore, indicates that the Haifa basin is the northwestern-most of a larger series of basins, comprising a failed rift along the Qishon–Sirhan NW–SE trend. This failed rift evolved spatially parallel to the Red Sea–Suez rift system, and at the same time frame. The Carmel fault would therefore seem to be related to processes occurring several million years earlier than previously thought, before the formation of the Dead Sea fault. The development of a series of basins in conjunction with a young spreading center is a known phenomenon in other regions worldwide; however this is the only known example from across the Arabian plate.     

From continental margin extension to collision orogen: structural development and tectonic rotation of the Hengchun peninsula, southern Taiwan

As a result of oblique collision, the Taiwan orogen propagates southward. The Hengchun peninsula in the southern tip of the Taiwan Central Range, preserving the youngest, the least deformed and the most complete accretionary prism sequences, allows therefore better understanding of the tectonic evolution of Taiwan orogen. On the Hengchun peninsula, four main stages of paleostress can be recognized by the analysis of brittle tectonics. After recording the first two stages of paleostress, rocks of the Hengchun peninsula (the Hengchun block) have undergone both tilting and counterclockwise rotation of about 90°. The structural boundaries of this rotated Hengchun block are: the Kenting Mélange zone in the southwest, the Fongkang Fault in the north, and a submarine backthrust in the east. The angle of this rotation is principally calculated by the paleomagnetic analysis data and a physical model experiment. Through a systematic back-tilting and back-rotating restoration, the original orientations of the four paleostress stages of Hengchun peninsula are recognized. They are, from the ancient to the recent, a NW–SE extension, a combination of NW–SE transtension and NE–SW transpression, a NE–SW compression, and finally a combination of NE–SW transtension and NW–SE transpression. This result can be explained by a phenomenon of stress axes permutation, instead of a complex polyphase tectonism. This stress axes permutation is caused by the horizontal compression increase accompanying the propagation of the accretionary prism. Combining the tectonic and paleomagnetic data with paleocurrent and stratigraphic data enables us to reconstruct the tectonic evolution of the Hengchun peninsula. This reconstruction corresponds to the deformation history of a continental margin basin, from its opening to its intense deformation in the accretionary prism.     

Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic rifting and its dynamic setting in Eastern China and adjacent areas

During the Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic, extension was widespread in Eastern China and adjacent areas. The first rifting stage spanned in the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous times and covered an area of more than 2 million km² of NE Asia from the Lake Baikal to the Sikhot-Alin in EW direction and from the Mongol–Okhotsk fold belt to North China in NS direction. This rifting was characterized by intracontinental rifts, volcanic eruptions and transform extension along large-scale strike–slip faults. Based on the magmatic activity, filling sequence of basins, tectonic framework and subsidence analysis of basins, the evolution of this area can be divided into three main developmental phases. The first phase, calc-alkaline volcanics erupted intensely along NNE-trending faults, forming Daxing'anling volcanic belt, NE China. The second phase, Basin and Range type fault basin system bearing coal and oil developed in NE Asia. During the third phase, which was marked by the change from synrifting to thermal subsidence, very thick postrift deposits developed in the Songliao basin (the largest oil basin in NE China).Following uplift and denudation, caused by compressional tectonism in the near end of Cretaceous, a Paleogene rifting stage produced widespread continental rift systems and continental margin basins in Eastern China. These rifted basins were usually filled with several kilometers of alluvial and lacustrine deposits and contain a large amount of fossil fuel resources. Integrated research in most of these rifting basins has shown that the basins are characterized by rapid subsidence, relative high paleo-geothermal history and thinned crust. It is now accepted that the formation of most of these basins was related to a lithospheric extensional regime or dextral transtensional regime. During Neogene time, early Tertiary basins in Eastern China entered a postrifting phase, forming regional downwarping. Basin fills formed in a thermal subsidence period onlapped the fault basin margins and were deposited in a broad downwarped lacustrine depression. At the same time, within plate rifting of the Lake Baikal and Shanxi graben climaxed and spreading of the Japan Sea and South China Sea occurred. Quaternary rifting was marked by basalt eruption and accelerated subsidence in the area of Tertiary rifting. The Okinawa Trough is an active rift involving back-arc extension.Continental rifting and marginal sea opening were clearly developed in various kind of tectonic settings. Three rifting styles, intracontinental rifting within fold belt, intracontinental rifting within craton and continental marginal rifting and spreading, are distinguished on the basis of nature of the basin basement, tectonic location of rifting and relations to large strike–slip faults.Changes of convergence rates of India–Eurasia and Pacific–Eurasia may have caused NW–SE-trending extensional stress field dominating the rifting. Asthenospheric upwelling may have well assisted the rifting process. In this paper, a combination model of interactions between plates and deep process of lithosphere has been proposed to explain the rifting process in East China and adjacent areas.The research on the Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic extensional tectonics of East China and adjacent areas is important because of its utility as an indicator of the dynamic setting and deformational mechanisms involved in stretching Lithosphere. The research also benefits the exploration and development of mineral and energy resources in this area.