Control of Deep Tectonics on the Superlarge Deposits in China

Abstract  Seventy‐three large‐superlarge deposits in China were formed in 4 metallogenic epochs, and located in 6 metallogenic domains. By combing their time‐space distribution and the relevant data of crustal thickness, we discuss the control conditions of deep tectonics on superlarge deposits. The various spatial variation of the crustal thickness where deposits locate is closely related to their different tectonic setting. The crustal thickness of the region where deposits are in the Precambrian metallogenic epoch is 37.1 km and shows double‐peak distribution, which is related to the different tectonic‐mineralization processes in the Tarim‐North China and Yangtze metallogenic domains. The crustal thickness of the region where deposits are in the Paleoproterozoic metallogenic epoch is 43.4 km and shows normal distribution, which is the result of “pure” mineralization setting. The crustal thickness of the region where deposits are in the Late Palaeozoic‐Early Mesozoic metallogenic epoch is about 41.2 km and shows multi‐peak distribution, which can be related with dispersing distribution in the metallogenic domain of these superlarge deposits. The crustal thickness of the region where deposits are in the post‐Indosinian metallogenic epoch is 37.3 km, and shows skew distribution, which resulted from different tectonic settings in eastern and western China.