Abstract: Introduced the basic concept and characteristics of tectonic stress field,expounded it’s development history and current situation of research,gave the systematic research methods carding and their applications,plus their advantages and disadvantages comparing.The analysis shows that the inversion method based on focal mechanism dates is one of the best in all of others.The cross-application of multiply subjects,innovation of computing model and the breakthrough of basic theory will promote the research and development of tectonic stress field.