Abstract: After a whole century of study of thrust tectonics, people have got fairly good understanding of the geometry, thrust sequences and mechanics of thiust belts. Especially, the success in the study of the Rocky Mountain thrust belt has given us an extremely good cxample. The continuous improvement of balanced cross - section techniques allows us to restore entire orogene and to understand the intermediate processed af orogeny, aithough there is still uncertainty about the mechanics of large thrust sheets. This contribution tries to review the history of thrust tectonics and to summary and discuss currently available understandings of thrust belts in various aspects, taking some of the very typical thrust belts for example.

Key words: Thrust, Duplex, lmbricate fan, Thrust sequence, Balanced cross-section, Gravity sprcading