Abstract:Based on geophysical lithospheric investigations worldwide, this paper analyzes the continental collision orogenic process. The geophysical lithospheric investigation data as well as physical laws build the foundation for reconstruction of evolution and the deconstruction method for interpretation of deep reflection profiles. Continental collision results in accretion of continents from the ocean—continent transition (OCT) zones. Owing to widely development of the OCT zones, the Alps—Xizang(Tibet) collision orogenic belt belongs to the so called skirt plate collision type, which does not act like elastic collision with no rebounding effects. This type collision usually shows ophiolite but few ultrahigh metamorphic belts on the surface. On the other hand, owing to rarely development of the OCT zones, the Dabie—Sulu collision orogenic belt belongs to the so called nude plate collision type, which acts like elastic collision with rebounding effects. This type collision usually shows ultrahigh pressure metamorphic belts but few ophiolite on the surface. The rebound created conditions for exhumation of the ultrahigh pressure metamorphic belts from deep mantle. Both the skirt plate and nude plate collisions contains mainly four collision stages: (1) pre collision stage involving ocean subduction and closing, (2) pre collision stage, (3) late collision stage or continental to continental subduction stage, and (4) post orogeny stage. At the pre collision stage, the skirt plate collision do not rebound but the nude plate collision does. At the late collision stage, the skirt plate collision does not show the exhumation of the ultrahigh pressure metamorphic belts but the nude plate collision does. The post orogeny stage means gradually stopping the orogeny process, lithospheric stress between continents in collision transfers to extension state from compressional state, resulting the same rotational pore between the two continents. However, lithospheric deformation and detachment can still occur, and convergence of deep heat fluids and magma intrusions would prefer play important roles in the week lithosphere along the collision belts.