Overall Positioning:
The Center focuses on fundamental research of continental lithosphere of China and adjacent regions through interdisciplinary approaches. Based on combined geological, geophysical, and geochemical observations, the Center study the component, structure and state of continental lithosphere in China and adjacent regions, to understand dynamic processes of lithosphere in the evolution of whole solid Earth, and further to investigate the mechanisms of interaction between the Earth's internal layers. It has achieved significant advances in continental dynamics research. Through an open and flexible management mechanism, the center leverages the advantages of cross-disciplinary integration in geology, geophysics, and geochemistry, fostering an academic environment characterized by freedom and innovation. This has helped form an influential research team, recognized both domestically and internationally.

Research Directions:
The main research includes studying the component, structure and state of the continental lithosphere, understanding the dynamic processes of continental lithosphere within the solid Earth system, and revealing the mechanisms of interaction between Earth's internal layers, with the aim of making innovative contributions to new theory of solid Earth system.

Current research focuses on the mechanism and processes of formation, modification and destruction of the continental lithosphere, including:

■ Formation, evolution and mineralization of early continent, represented by the North China Craton
■ Cratonic destruction and mineralization, represented by eastern North China
■ Continental deep subduction, high-to-ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism, and crust-mantle interaction in continental collision orogenic belts
■ Accretionary orogeny and continental accretion, represented by the Central Asian Orogenic belt
■ Continental collision orogenic processes and evolution mechanisms, represented by Himalayan-type orogens
■ Subduction of the Western Pacific plate and the Meso-Cenozoic tectonic evolution of East Asia