The foreland basins of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic in mid-western area of China are located in the eastern end of Northern Basin groups of Tethys tectonics.

• 前陆盆地是指呈线性收缩于造山带和克拉通之间、由造山带逆冲负荷引起挠曲并沉降成狭长的沉积单元。