Tectonic structures within Anhui Province can be divided into three tecto-nic units of the first order on the features of geology and geophysical field

i.e.part of the Huabei platform

part of Yangtzi paraplatform and part of Qinling fold belt.A lot of Meso-Cenozoic continental depressions developed there.Their main characteristics are as follows:the formation was controlled by faults

sometimes related to basements.The shape is predominantly half-graben

the formation age ranges from Jurassic to Cretaceous or Cretaceous to Early Tertiary.In these depressions

the sedimental facies are mainly shallow lacustrine and fluvial sediments

though sometimes moderately deeper water to deep water lacustrine sediments might take place near the major fault.It is suggested that

although there are a lot of Meso-Cenozoic sedimentary depressions

and dark argillaceous rocks occasionally found in these depressions are thick enough

most of them are beyond the threshold of oil generation.The most prospective one is Jinhu-Lai'an depressoin

while the others

such as Nanling depression

the east part of Hefei

Guzheng and Zhoukou depressions might also exhibit some oil and gas potential.