Continental Layer-Bound Tectonics $$$$ A New Model for the Origin and Evolution of Basin-mountain System and Orogen

摘要

The basin-mountain system and the thrust superimposed orogen evolving from the system are the two major tectonic types of continental crust mobile zones, which are products of the process of rotational, gravitational and thermal energies. The Earth is made up of spheres of different geomechanical properties. Although laterally nonuniform, they are controlled by their underlying weaklayers at different levels, thus forming layer-bound structures at corresponding levels. Among them, the continental layer bound structure is of multi-level character, of which the crustal movement is dominated in form by basin-mountain system and thrust superimposed orogen controlled by the middle crust plastic layer. The theory of continental layer-bound tectonics established by our study of the China regional tectonics from the global angle will become a new theoretical basis surpassed the plate tectonic theory for the study of continental geological problems.