Abstract:

Sedimentary basins of China are characterized by plenty of types and appearances,complex geological features. This is seldom found in the world. A further research on the basinswill enrich and develop the theory of basin geology. One of the most important characteristicsof the basins is strong late-reformations. This is caused by the configuration, evolution ofChina continent and its special tectonic location. The features of the late-reformation are asfollows: 1. The reformation almost occurred in all basins and differed spatially; 2. The reformation was violent. The earlier the basin was formed,the more reformation times the basinwould suffer; 3. The later the reformation took place,the stronger it would be; 4. The reformation occurred for many times. Each time of it differed differently. As for sedimental basinscontaining hydrocarbon resources,the main ge6logical functions resulted in the reformationinclude tectonic movement,denudation (transportation),deep burying and thermodynamics.According to the characters,the strength of the reformation,and the possible reconstruction degree of original basin,the reformation could be divided into five types: 1. The originalface of a basin has changed due to late-stage denudation. This resulted in the decreease of the basin range; 2. New geological phenomena, as the formation of NW trending structures inQ8idam Basin, took place; 3. Structural property has transformed. That is, Mesozoic shearcompression structures in the east part of North China Craton has transformed into transtensional structures in Triassic; 4. The relative positions of basins have changed. This can beseen from the reformation of original basins by Huanghua detachment structure in Bobal BayBasin and Shigouyi gliding nappe structure in the west margin of Ordos Basin;5. The originalshape of a basin has changed entirely.It is suggested that to understand and study the strong late-reformation of China’s sedimentary basins is very important for geology and for sedimental resources exploration.