North-eastern China and surrounding regions host some of the best examples of
Phanerozoic juvenile crust on the globe. However, the Mesozoic tectonic setting and
geodynamic processes in this region remain debated. Here we attempt a systematic
analysis of the spatio-temporal distribution patterns of ore deposits in NE China and
surrounding regions to constrain the geodynamic milieu. From an evaluation of the available
geochronological data, we identify five distinct stages of ore formation: 240–205 Ma, 190 …