Extensional structures developed widely in West Shandong uplift. The characteristics of the NWtrending extensional faults in West Shandong uplift are studied based on detailed field geological survey. The tectonic kinematical parameters of each main tectonic evolution stages since late Mesozoic are calculated quantitatively using balance profile restoration along a selected profile crossing the main NWtrending faults. In addition

the process of extensional deformation is demonstrated using the structural physical modeling. The results indicate that the main NWtrending faults reversed negatively after Triassic and dominated the depositions of the adjacent depressions. In late Mesozoic

West Shangdong uplift was subjected to strong extension

and the cutting depth of the normal faults reached to 19~20 km underground. And breccia

cataclasite and fault gouge developed in the fault belt. In the Paleogene

the crustal extension mainly occurred in shallow strata. The extension amount and extensional rate of the West Shandong uplift increased to their maximum. All of those show that the West Shandong uplift suffered intensive extension. The activity rates of the NWtrending faults reached peak. Halfgraben developed massively and widely. Then

in the Neogene

extension rates becane small and faults hardly activated

indicating that the West Shandong uplift approximately trended to be stable. The extension of the West Shandong uplift since late Mesozoic coincided with the tectonic evolution of the North China Craton. The strong extension in the Cenozoic is controlled by the change of the direction and the velocity of the subduction between the Pacific Plate and the Eurasian Plate

and the collision of the Indian to the Eurasian plates.