STUDY ON CRUSTAL STRAIN AND STRESS FIELDS IN CHINA CONTINENT

Based on two periods of observad data obtained in 1994 and 1996 from the national GPS network,the current horizontal crustal deformation stress field in China Continent has been studied in the paper.The results show that the principal compressive stress field for Qinghai Tibet block and Xinjiang block in the west is nearly in the trend of SN to NNE,for the area on the east of SN seismic zone and on the north of Changjiang River is NE to approximate EW and for South China block is NNW to NW,which are basically consistent with the theoretical model of slide line field.It has reflected that the compressive stress of crustal deformation in China Continent comes mainly from the underthrust collision of Indian plate and Eurasia plate,while the force from Pacific plate and Philippine plate towards Eurasia plate and the upwards force from the mantle have taken a secondary position.The development and the occurrence of an earthquake might be related to the distorted area.The horizontal deformation also indicates that Indian plate has driven northwards by a value of 49.8mm/a.