A Continental Model of Curie Point Depth for China and Surroundings Based on Equivalent Source Method.

The Curie Point Depth (CPD) marks a significant temperature boundary (∼580°C) within the Earth's lithosphere. However, there has been ongoing debate regarding its spatial distribution. In this research, we utilized the Equivalent Source Method (ESM) based on Gauss‐Legendre integration and data obtained from the EMM2017 model, along with a five‐layer susceptibility model, to generate a 0.5° × 0.5° grid of continental CPD distribution for China and surroundings. The average CPD in the study area is 30.4 km, which is slightly shallower than the average depth of global continental Moho (∼33 km). Notably, stable and cold cratonic basins, such as the Tarim Basin and the Sichuan Basin, exhibit deep CPD of ∼45 km. In contrast, the North China Craton, which has experienced significant tectono‐thermal activity since the Late Mesozoic, shows moderate CPD of ∼30 km and a gradual uplift from west to east. The Tuva‐Mongol orocline within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, the Deccan Volcanic Province in the Indian subcontinent and the Eastern Yangtze Craton have shallow CPD of ∼20 km. We estimate the surface heat flow by CPD, and the result is consistent with measurements within a RMSE of 18.1 mW/m2. When comparing the CPD with Moho, we find that the CPD may lie below Moho in stable and cold cratonic areas. In comparison to two recent global CPD models, our regional model demonstrates better alignment with tectonic features. Plain Language Summary: The Curie Point Depth (CPD) is the depth where crustal temperatures equal the Curie temperature of magnetite (∼580°C), the dominant magnetic mineral in the crust, and hence below which there is no magnetization. It is a crucial temperature boundary within the Earth's lithosphere, providing valuable insights into the lithospheric thermal structure and dynamic evolution. Traditionally, the CPD is mostly inverted by the Power Spectral Density (PSD) method in the frequency domain, which is more suitable for shallow CPD regions. Here, we determine a new 0.5° × 0.5° continental CPD model for China and surroundings utilizing an Equivalent Source Method (ESM) in the spatial domain. Then we estimate the surface heat flow and crustal temperature with this CPD model, and discuss its relation with the Moho interface. Compared to two recent global models, our regional CPD model showcases enhanced consistency with tectonic characteristics. Key Points: We inverted a new regional continental Curie Point Depth model via Equivalent Source MethodBased on the new CPD model and measured thermal parameters, the surface heat flow and crustal temperature distribution are derivedOur new regional CPD model exhibits better consistency with the tectonics compared to two recent global models [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]