Abstract: Through the analyses of seismic, non-seismic and field geologic investigated data, based on the structural deformation and sedimentary characteristics, this paper divided the southeast Tarim basin into three parts from west to east since Pliocene: Minfeng sag (compression-shear basin), Qiemo swell (Palaeogene formation overlying Proterozoic metamorphic rock with unconformity) and Washisha sag (foreland basin related strike-slip fault). It is considered that southeast Tarim basin has experienced several structural evolution stages: marginal sea in late Paleozoic, fault depression-depression from Jurassic to early Cretaceous, depression from Palaeogene to Miocene, compression-shear basin of Minfeng sag and foreland basin of Washisha sag from Pliocene to now. Different stress mechanisms and stress strengths resulted in the structural deformation characteristics of different segments in E-W direction since Pliocene. In the piedmont belt of Washixia sag developed thrust nappe which leaded to incrassation of Jurassic source rocks, being favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation in this area.

Key words: southeast Tarim basin, structural evolution, structural framework, dynamic mechanism