Summary of the Lithospheric Dynamics in China

Abstract This paper presents a summary of the explanatory notes for the 1 : 4, 000, 000 scale “Lithospheric Dynamics Map of China and Adjacent Seas”, which gives an outline of the geological and geophysical processes that are presently active or were once active during the Cenozoic. The focus is concentrated on intraplate phenomena and on explaining them in terms of fundamental plate tectonic processes. The lithosphere in China is very heterogeneous. Its dynamics can be described in terms of the relative motions of 8 active subplates and related 17 tectonic blocks, and the characteristics of neotectonic deformation. The present‐day movement and deformation of the lithosphere in China, their relationship with the deep‐seated processes, and the lateral heterogeneity, mass difference and stress state within it that will tend to cause crustal movement in the future are illustrated. The intraplate tectonics and stress field are mainly controlled by the heterogeneity of the lithosphere and the mode of interaction between subplates and their boundary conditions. The collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian plate began and proceeded along the Tethys ocean side, which has produced a strong compressional stress in western China and brought about a high shear stress in the regions round the eastern and western corners of the Himalaya block. However, the eastern part of China is directly influenced by the western Pacific plate boundaries. The minimum principal stress here is tensional, which makes the shear stress high, it may be the cause of the high seismicity in North China and maritime region of southeastern China.