Abstract: The evolution of sedimentary basins in the Arctic is controlled by complex tectonic processes over geological time. Using gravity and magnetic data from the Circum-Arctic Mapping Project, the tectonic framework of the Arctic basement was identified and overlapped with the distribution of sedimentary basins. Three types of regional tectonic factors that play a dominant role in the evolution of Arctic sedimentary basins were selected: (1) post-orogenic extensional collapse; (2) terrane accretion and foreland contraction; (3) rifting and opening of ocean basins. The tectonic events after these three types of regional tectonism have limited abilities to reshape basins; therefore, the characteristics of the basins basically remained constant. From the Neoproterozoic to the Phanerozoic, the Laurentia, Baltic and Siberia paleocontinents collided one after another to form the Tieman, Caledonian, Ellesmere and Ural orogenic belts. During the post-collision period, they extended and collapsed to form the base of large sedimentary basins in the Barents, Kara, Canadian Arctic seas and other regions. The Cenozoic evolution of the North Pacific margin terrane in northeastern Siberia and northwestern North America led to the development of foreland basins in the north. The rifting and opening of the Amerasia Basin and the North Atlantic-Eurasian Basin controlled the evolution of the Mackenzie Delta, Baffin Bay and the Laptev Rift Basin.

Key words: Arctic, sedimentary basins, regional tectonics, basement, orogeny