Terrane tectonics is a supplement to the theory of plate tectonics.As it is controlled by the global plate dynamic system,it cannot be studied separately from the plates.The small size,diversity and pervasiveness of terranes relative to the rigid plates are of great significance in understanding of the divergent process of global plates,and the collage and accretion of continents.Terranesare ubiquitous.They exist not only in Mesozoic and Cenozoic marginal orogenic belts,but also in ancient orogenic belts.Some ancient cratons are actually formed from different terranes.The movement of terranes includes amalgamation,dispersion and strike-slip. The accretion of terranes is the main manifestation of the amalgamation and leads to the growth and expansion of the continent,while the dispersion of terranes combined with the accretion determines the contour of the modern continent.By analyzing the processes of amalgamation and dispersion of terranes,it was determined that there are two different models,namely, unidirectional amalgamation-dispersion and multidirectional amalgamation-dispersion,which correspond to different geodynamic processes.The unidirectional amalgamation-dispersion of terranes can be caused by oceanic subduction-accretion or continental collision,but in this process,the unidirectional subduction of ocean towards continent plays a leading role.The multidirectional amalgamation-dispersion of terranes is closely related to the lithosphere rifting and convergence.From the perspective of the global tectonic evolution pattern,the direction of lithosphere rifting and convergence itself is multidirectional,which leads to the multidirectional dispersion and aggregation of some micro-continents and terranes originated from oceanic crust.The unidirectional dispersion-amalgamation of terrane will change into multidirectional dispersion-amalgamation due to tectonic changes.The roll-back of the subducting slab and the trench retreat will lead to the bending of the subduction zone and the change of the subduction direction,which are the reasons for the above transformation.