Analysis of Curie point depth characteristics based on the tectonic framework of continental China

The newly released global lithospheric magnetic field correction model, NGDC-720V4QT, significantly improves data coverage over the Tibetan Plateau, providing new opportunities for Curie point depth estimation in previously data-sparse regions. In this study, we applied the centroid method based on spectral analysis to estimate the Curie point depth of the terrestrial China. Different fractal exponents were assigned according to the magnetic mineral properties of major tectonic units, including the Eastern Central Asian Orogen, Western Central Asian Orogen, North China Craton, Yangtze Craton, Tibetan-Sanjiang Orogen, Central Orogenic Belt, Tarim Craton, and Wuyi-Yunkai Orogen. The latest fifth edition of the heat flow map of the continental China was used as an external constraint. Our results show that the Curie depth of the continental China generally ranges from 10 to 35 km, with most values concentrated between 14 and 29 km. The shallowest Curie depths, approximately 10-21 km, are observed in the Tibet-Sanjiang Orogen, whereas the deepest Curie depths occur in the Tarim Craton, reaching up to 35 km. Based on the tectonic framework of different regions, we present a newly recalculated Curie depth map of the terrestrial China, which provides an important basis for understanding the crustal thermal structure and for assessing the potential of geothermal resources.