Panorama of the Opening‐Closing Tectonics Theory in China

Abstract  The opening‐closing tectonics theory, a theory about opening‐closing tectonics, is a viewpoint regarding geotectonics suggested by a group of Chinese scientists. Opening and closing are two basic geological movements, which may result in a series of structures. The highest level of opening is the appearance of oceans and the highest level of closing is the consolidation of continents. Based on field investigations, the authors consider that identifying the marks of opening‐closing tectonics is the basis of the issue and classifying the types of opening‐closing tectonics is the key of the issue. This paper briefly discusses the substance and the future of the study on the opening‐closing tectonics in China. The authors hope to share relevant information with geoscientists in the world in this field.