Sedimentation in continental basins has been controlled by many factors and the main control factors in basins of different types are not the same.All these would lead to various sedimentation types

frequent facies changes

poor lateral continuity and large variation of sequence thickness.Frequent alternating of lake transgression and regression results in frequent change of cyclothems.The formation

structure and model of continental sequence stratigraphy would

therefore

be more complex and more difficult to study.According to the boundary characteristics of both continental basins and system tracts

initial and maximum flooding surfaces and existence of slope-break zone

Chinese geologists have established sequence stratigraphic frameworks and models of depression basin and faulted basin

which tally with the reality of basin fills in China.Development of continental stratigraphic sequence has mainly been controlled by lake level fluctuation

tectonic movement

climate

base-level change and provenance supply

especially tectonic movement and climate are quite important

because they directly control the fluctuation of lake level.Methodologies for studying sequence stratigraphy in continental basins include outcrop sequence study

experimental observation and analysis

logging and seismic sequence stratigraphic analyses

and numerical simulation of sequence stratigraphy.Sequence stratigraphy can play an irreplaceable role in play exploration stage

prospect exploration stage and development stage.