Abstract: Based on the sandstone and mudstone percentage obtained from the relationship of interval seismic velocity to these and other parameters required, the total subsidence and tectonic subsidence were computed to the basement of the overburden.The subsiding curves could be categorized as two types, concave and convex, based on their shape. The former is the character-
istics of the subsiding curves of the depression near the North Monocline, and the later the other tectonic belts of the Kuqa depression. Subsiding velocity changes of different evolutionary stages show the coupling between the Kuqa depression and the Tianshan mountain. Based on the relationship between the total and tectonic subsiding curves, the convex subsiding curves can
be further divided into two secondary types: harmonious and disharmonious. The later shows salt flow, which happened a-long the south limb of Kelasu tectonic belt.

Key words: Kuqa depression, overburden, basin subsi-dence, salt flow, geodynamics