According to its structure characteristics, the Qiangtang Basin can be divided into five structural areas. The fault-fold zone on the north margin is dominated by imbracated structure, the Mayer Kangri fault-up-welling area by back thrusting blocks, while the Laxong Co-Qoima Co complex fold zone and others are characterized by symmetric or asymmetric structures. The structural deformation is mainly caused by the N-S com-pressive stress field resulting from northward movement of the Qiangtang massif and other southern massives during the Yangshanian-Himalayan period.