Tectonic sketch of China (after Huang et al., 1980). China is separated into three main platforms (in blue) which are flanked by fold belts (green) that become progressively younger away from the platform nucleus. The Tibetan Plateau is roughly outlined by the darker shade of green. The red lines represent the location of seismic refraction/wide angle reflection profiles made in China (1958-1990). The letters correspond to the columns from the previous figure.