Tectonic evolution stages and deformation characteristics in central and western China

Large basins in central and western China have undergone multiple stages of tectonic movement, which played different roles in controlling the formation and evolution of the basins. Since the Late Paleozoic, the development of these basins can be divided into the ‘north convergence and south separation’ transitional tectonic system from the Late Paleozoic to the Early Mesozoic and the intracontinental alteration system since the Mesozoic era. The change period of the basins is controlled by these two structural systems, while there are some differences in the transformation times and deformation characteristics in different structural locations. In general, there are two key periods. The first is from the Late Hercynian to the Early Indosinian period. The movement led to the completion of sea land transformation. The second is from the Yanshan period to the Himalayan period. This is the most intense period of tectonic activity in the central and western regions, and also the main formation period. At the same time, this period also corresponds to the main accumulation stage and transformation stage of clastic strata. The main deformation characteristics are fracturing, folding and differential uplifting.