Abstract The repetitive leveling data in Liaoning area was sorted out to obtain the vertical deformation rate during 1959—1979, 1979—1997 and 1997—2010. On the basis of the results，the author studied the evolution of vertical crustal deformation, tectonic activity of Liaoning area in 50 years, and the correlation of vertical deformation field with seismic activities. The results show that during 1959 to 1979, the differential change of the vertical deformation rate is the biggest, that reflects the crustal activity is intense, and a Ms7.3 earthquake occurred in Haicheng in this period. During 1979 to 1997 and 1997 to 2010, the differential change of the vertical deformation rate decreased, the crustal activity weakened, and there was no big earthquake occurred in this period. In the period,the differential change of the vertical deformation rate shows that the predominant direction of crust activity of Liaoning area was NNE and NWNWW, and the vertical deformation in different periods was respectively under the control along these directions.
