Abstract: Altun tectonic belt lies between Mounts Tianshan and Kunlun, with about 200 km in width and extension of over 1500 km, which is a faulting and uplifting tectonic belt with EW-trending tectonic setting control in tectonic frame work of basement as NE-trending leading tectonics controlling regional tectonic framework. NE and EW tectonics, along with their conjunction and compounding, form the major tectonic forms of Altun tectonic belt. Three types of basins with certain degrees of prospectives (tensional, shear and compressional) are present within Altun tectonic belt and adjacent regions, amongst which the shear basin is the most promising target for oil.

Key words: Altun tectonic belt, EW-trending tectonics, NE-trending tectonics, Basin type