Abstract:Rock massif possesses complex structural hierarchy. Such a structural hierarchy involves very wide range of scale levels from microscopic scale level to macroscopic scale level. But until now systematic study on the mechanism of the formation of this kind of structural hierarchy does not exist. Based on the available geomechanical achievements and physical theories,the mechanism for formation of the structural hierarchy of rock massif is studied systematically. It shows that the formation of structural hierarchy is caused by the initial stage of formation of rock massif and the successive tectonic motion processes. In the initial stage of formation of rock massif,because of nonequilibrium nature of the processes and the exchanges of energy with the environment,the self-organization process and dissipative structure arise,and the self-similar fractal structures are formulated. In the view of tectonic,the earth¢s lithosphere is in nonequilibrium state because of the external actions. The energies of nonequilibrium state are supplied to the deformation and fracture of rock massif and eventually lead to the formation of dissipative structures. At different geological ages,faults of different scales are formed;and the two successively formed faults intersect with about 45°,and the scale ratio is . Because of the fractal structure in rock massif,coefficient of embedment is a natural expression of this self-similarity.