Abstract: Qaidam Basin undergoes multi-period tectonic deform ation. Obduction and strike-slip faulted movement and folding and regional elevation and subsidence intersect and affect each other, it becomes complicated deformation pattern and forms many types of structural styles in the west area of Qaidam Basin. According to the degree of basement involved, it is classified to basement-involved type and capping-sliding type, and then classified to seven styles according to deformation. On the basis of extensional rift during early period of Yanshan movement, because of series of tectonic movement, the Cenozoic structural styles undergo multi-period superposition and develop five types of tectonic superposition relation in the west area of Qaidam Basin.