The fault system in the NW margin of the Junggar Basin, western China, affords an exceptional opportunity to document structural features of a major strike-slip fault using two-and three-dimensional seismic reflection and magnetotelluric(MT) data. Fault segments with a clockwise orientation were characterized by convergent structures.The Carboniferous, Permian and Triassic had folded and formed unconformity by Jurassic and Cretaceous, indicating a deformation developed in Late Permian to Triassic. The exposed Dalabute fault was reactivated in Cenozoic, which was affected by the long-distance compression of the Cenozoic India-Asia collision. The NW margin of the Junggar Basin was not apparently deformed in Cenozoic and three different types of potential hydrocarbon traps were formed in the NW margin of the Junggar Basin, they are drape unconformity lithologic traps in the uplifted belt, anticlinal fault-block traps in the Keramay-Xiazijie fault block folded belt and unconformity-controlled lithologic traps in the Mahu Lake slope belt.