The study on deep structural segmentation and transformation of the Yaziluo fault zone is of great significance for understanding the tectonic evolution

sedimentation and hydrocarbon accumulation of the basins on its two sides.Based on comprehensive analyses of gravity

magnetic

electric and seismic data

this paper divided the Yaziluo fault zone into three segments along its strike.The structural transformation is characterized by four deep faults in the northwest segment (Wei-ning segment)

two deep faults in the middle segment (Guanling segment)

and one deep fault in the southeast segment (Ziyun segment).The major dip direction of the normal faults changes from southwestward to northeastward.Meanwhile

the Yaziluo fault zone controls the migration of the Paleozoic deposits from the northwest segment to the southeast segment

i.e.the northwest segment controls the limit of the Silurian deposition

the northwest to the middle segments control the Devonian onlap boundary to the Qianzhong uplift and the Carboniferous deep basin sedimentation

and the southeast segment controls the Permian deep-water sedimentary belt.The tectonic evolution of the middle segment (Guanling segment) of the Yaziluo fault zone experienced five stages

namely the initial extension during the Devonian

the extensional faulting during the Carboniferous

the rifting during the Permian

the tectonic inversion during the Triassic and the inland contraction since the Jurassic.Its deformation style is characterized by a fan-shaped back thrusting structure resulted from reversing of the boundary faults of the Late Paleozoic graben.The shortening rate of structural profile is up to 51.68%.