1. College of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, China;
2. College of Geo-exploration Science and Technology, Jilin University, Changchun 130026, China

Remote sensing technology is characterized by macrocosm, comprehensiveness and convenience. In order to study the evolution of the water system since the Quaternary in the central Songliao Plain, the authors collected multi-source remote sensing data from the study area, including Landsat TM data, Sentinel-2A data, high-resolution No. 1 data, Google satellite image, and digital elevation model (DEM). On the basis of establis-hing the palaeo-river channel interpretation marker system, the interpretation of the surface channel and the shallow buried palaeo-channel of the study area was completed. From the interpretation of the palaeo-channel and the rela-tionship between the relatively new and old channels, integrating the characteristics of neotectonics in the study area, the evolution process of the water system is inferred. It has been found that the water system in the study area has experienced the centripetal palaeo-great lake period, north-south connecting period and current Songliao water-shed-affected pariod since Quaternary. The natural situation of each period is visually reproduced-using the three-dimensional visualization technology. Moreover, the impact of the evolution of the water system on the local ecologi-cal environment is explained.