The invention provides a physical simulation analysis method and apparatus for plate subduction and withdrawal. The apparatus is a tank body comprising an oceanic crust subduction system, a continental crust obduction system, an asthenosphere and a power drive system, wherein the oceanic crust subduction system orderly comprises an oceanic crust lower part silica gel layer, an oceanic crust middlepart silica gel layer and an oceanic crust upper part sand layer from bottom to top; the continental crust obduction system orderly comprises a continental crust lower part silica gel layer, a continental crust middle part silica gel layer and a continental crust upper sand layer from bottom to top; the power drive system comprises a first driving motor, a first force application baffle plate, asecond driving motor and a second force application baffle plate; the asthenosphere is made of honey and is positioned on a bottom part of the tank body. The invention also provides the physical simulation analysis method for plate subduction and withdrawal. Via the physical simulation analysis method and apparatus for plate subduction and withdrawal provided in the invention, formation mechanismsfor plate subduction and withdrawal and back-arc chasmic basins can be determined.