Tectonic and Metallogenic Model 

for Northeast Asia

By Leonid M. Parfenov1, Warren J. Nokleberg2, Nikolai A. Berzin3, Gombosuren Badarch4, Sergey I. Dril5, 

Ochir Gerel6, Nikolai A. Goryachev7, Alexander I. Khanchuk8, Mikhail I. Kuz'min5, Alexander A. 

Obolenskiy3, Andrei V. Prokopiev1, Vladimir V. Ratkin8, Sergey M. Rodionov9, Christopher R. Scotese10, 

Vladimir I. Shpikerman7, Vladimir F. Timofeev1, Onongin Tomurtogoo4, and Hongquan Yan11

Edited by Warren J. Nokleberg2

Open-File Report 2011-1026, Version 1.0

2011

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

1

 Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russia

2

 U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California, USA

3

 Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia

4

 Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar., Mongolia 5

 Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia 

6 Mongolian University of Science and Technology, Ulaanbaatar., Mongolia 7

 Russian Academy of Sciences, Magadan, Russia

8

 Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia

9

 Russian Academy of Sciences, Khabarovsk, Russia 10 University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA

11 Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
2

U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2011

For product and ordering information:

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod

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its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment:

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Suggested citation:

Parfenov, L.M., Nokleberg, W.J., Berzin, N.A., Badarch, Gombosuren, Dril, S.I., Gerel, Ochir, 

Goryachev, N.A., Khanchuk, A.I., Kuz'min, M.I., Obolenskiy, A.A., Prokopiev, A.V., Ratkin, V.V., 

Rodionov, S.M., Scotese, C.R., Shpikerman, V.I., Timofeev, V.F., Tomurtogoo, Onongin, and Yan, 

Hongquan; Nokleberg, W.J., ed, 2011, Tectonic and metallogenic model for northeast Asia: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011-1026 [http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1026/].

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual 

copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report.
INTRODUCTION

This document describes the digital files in this report 

that contains a tectonic and metallogenic model for 

Northeast Asia. The report also contains background 

materials and is for sale on CD-ROM by USGS 

Information Services, Box 25286, Federal Center, 

Denver, CO 80225, telephone: 888 ASK-USGS; e-mail: 

infoservices@usgs.gov. This tectonic and metallogenic

model and other materials on this report are derived from

(1) an extensive USGS Professional Paper, 1765, on the 

metallogenesis and tectonics of Northeast Asia that is 

available on the Internet at http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1765/; 

and (2) the Russian Far East parts of an extensive USGS 

Professional Paper, 1697, on the metallogenesis and 

tectonics of the Russian Far East, Alaska, and the 

Canadian Cordillera that is available on the Internet at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/pp1697/. 

The major purpose of the tectonic and metallogenic 

model is to provide, in “movie” format, a colorful 

summary of the complex geology, tectonics, and 

metallogenesis of the region. To accomplish this goal 

four steps were taken: (1) 13 time-stage diagrams, from 

the late Neoproterozoic (850 Ma) through the present (0 

Ma), were adapted, generalized, and transformed into 

color static time-stage diagrams; (2) the 13 time-stage 

diagrams were placed in a computer morphing program 

to produce the model; (3) the model was examined and 

each diagram was successively adapted to preceding and 

subsequent diagrams to match the size and surface 

expression of major geologic units; and (4) the final 

version of the model was produced in successive 

iterations of steps 2 and 3.

The tectonic and metallogenic model and associated 

materials in this report are derived from a project on the 

major mineral deposits, metallogenesis, and tectonics of 

the Northeast Asia and from a preceding project on the 

metallogenesis and tectonics of the Russian Far East, 

Alaska, and the Canadian Cordillera. Both projects 

provide critical information on bedrock geology and 

geophysics, tectonics, major metalliferous mineral 

resources, metallogenic patterns, and crustal origin and 

evolution of mineralizing systems for this region. The 

major scientific goals and benefits of the projects are to: 

(1) provide a comprehensive international data base on 

the mineral resources of the region that is the first 

extensive knowledge available in English; (2) provide 

major new interpretations of the origin and crustal 

evolution of mineralizing systems and their host rocks, 

thereby enabling enhanced, broad-scale tectonic 

reconstructions and interpretations; and (3) promote trade 

and scientific and technical exchanges between North 

America and eastern Asia.

QUICK START

For those already familiar with motion-graphics 

applications and have one on their computer, go to 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1026/Model/Model.avi to 

start the tectonic and metallogenic model. Please note 

that for interactive starting and stopping of the model at 

various time stages, the file Model.avi can be copied to 

the computer hard drive. In addition, viewing of the 

model from a hard drive will permit manual reversing 

and advancing of the model. 

After the introductory title, explanation, and suggestions 

for viewing, the model starts for each of 13 time stages 

from the Neoproterozoic (850 Ma) through the present (0 

Ma). Each time stage is depicted sequentially with: (1) a 

view of the main geologic and tectonic units for the time 

stage; (2) a view of the units with superposed labels and 

major sedimentary basins; and (3) a view of the main 

units and major metallogenic belts. For any view, the 

player can be stopped to permit detailed study.

The following are suggestions for viewing the model, as 

summarized in the second slide, are: (1) view the model a 

time or two without halting in order to gain an overview; 

and (2) view the model with periodic halts while reading 

the below summary of the major features for each time 

stage of the model.

If more information is desired, read: (1) chapter 1 

(Introduction) of Professional Paper 1765 that provides a 

summary of the regional geology, tectonics, and 

metallogenesis of Northeast Asia; and (2) Chapter 9 

(Tectonic and Metallogenic Model for Northeast Asia) 

that provides a detailed explanation of the tectonic and 

metallogenic model. For additional information, parts or 

all of the Professional Paper 1765 can be read. In 

addition, for information on the entire Russian Far East, 

the appropriate parts of Professional Paper 1697 on the 

Metallogenesis and Tectonics of the Russian Far East, 

Alaska, and the Canadian Cordillera can be read. For 

both papers, Adobe PDF files are provided.

Please note that the model is centered on the North Asian

Craton (that is, the northern tip of Lake Baikal). As a 

result, lines of paleolatitude migrate across the model 

through geologic time. And because of space limitations 

(the viewing area of the model must be confined to one 

monitor display), other major cratons, such as the SinoKorean Craton, do not appear in the model until near the 

time of accretion to the North Asian Craton.
2

SUMMARY OF MAJOR FEATURES FOR EACH 

TIME STAGE OF MODEL

Time Stage 1 – Neoproterozoic (Riphean) (850 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) Passive continental margins formed on the 

submerged margins of the North-Asian craton, 

including the East Angara (EA), Baikal-Patom (BP), 

and Verkhoyansk (VK) cratonal margins. In addition, 

passive continental margins formed on the ArgunIdermeg superterrane.

(2) Widespread intracontinental rifting was initiated 

along parts of these passive continental margins.

(3) Platform cover accumulated onto the inner parts of 

the North Asian craton.

(4) Several major island-arc systems and tectonically 

linked subduction zones formed offshore or adjacent to 

the North Asian craton, including the Near-Yenisey, 

Baikal-Muya, and Zavhan magmatic arcs.

(5) Formation of major metallogenic belts related to 

sedimentary basins formed on cratonal margins, rift 

basins; island arcs, and terrane accretion. 

Time Stage 2 – Early Cambrian (Vendian) (545 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) Completion of Neoproterozoic accretion of several 

island-arc systems and tectonically linked subduction 

zones onto the North Asian craton, including the NearYenisey, Baikal-Muya, and Zavhan magmatic arcs.

(2) Formation of new island-arc systems, including the 

Salair, Kuznetsk-Tannuola and Dzhida-Lake arcs, and 

tectonically linked subduction zones.

(3) Subduction of the Paleo-Asian ocean plate to form 

various oceanic and subduction-zone terranes associated 

with the island arcs. Behind the island arcs were the 

Minusa-Tuva and the Transbaikal marginal seas that are 

interpreted as the fragments of an oceanic plate separated 

by island arcs.

(4) Formation of major metallogenic belts related to 

transpressive continental-margin arcs and island arcs.

Time Stage 3 – Late Cambrian (510 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) Completion of accretion of the late Neoproterozoic 

and Early Cambrian island-arc systems described above.

(2) Continued formation of a passive continental margin 

along the northern and northeastern periphery of the 

North Asian craton.

(3) Formation of the Salair island arc (part of the Altai 

collage) and South Mongolia-Khingan island arc (part of 

the South Mongolia-Khngan collage) and associated 

subduction zones near the margins of the North Asian 

craton.

(4) Formation of turbidite basins along the southern 

transform margin of the North Asian craton in the area of 

accreted terranes.

(5) Deformation of the accreted island arcs and back-arc 

basins that started at the end of the Middle Cambrian and 

continued through the Silurian in a transpressional and 

dextral-slip faulting environment.

(6) Accumulation of flysch along the North Asian 

(Verkhoyansk) cratonal margin.

(7) Formation of turbidite units along the southern 

margin of the North Asian craton.

(8) Formation of major metallogenic belts related to 

transpressive continental-margin arcs and to volcanic or 

sedimentary belts on the North Asian craton or in 

accreted terranes.

Time Stage 4 – Early Ordovician (475 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) Continued formation of a passive continental margin 

along the northern and northeastern periphery of the 

North-Asian craton.

(2) Continued accumulation of flysch along the southern 

North Asian craton transform continental margin.

(3) Continued deformation of accreted island arcs and 

back-arc basins in a transpressional and dextral-slip 

faulting environment. 

(4) Formation of the Tannuola plutonic belt as a 

transpressive continental-margin arc.
3

(5) Continued formation of the Salair island arc (part of 

the Altai collage) and South Mongolia-Khingan island 

arc (part of the South Mongolia-Khngan collage) and 

associated subduction zones along the margins of the 

North Asian craton.

(7) Formation of the Amandykan continental margin and 

back-arc rifts along the northeastern margin of the North 

Asian craton (in present-day coordinates).

(8) Inception of dextral-slip and rifting migration of the 

Argun-Idermeg superterrane along the southern margin 

of the North Asian craton and previously accreted 

terranes.

(9) Formation of a major metallogenic belt related mainly 

to the Tannuola plutonic belt, a transpressive continentalmargin arc, and related sutures.

Time Stage 5 – Late Silurian (410 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) Continued formation of a passive continental margin 

along the northern and northeastern periphery of the 

North-Asian craton.

(2) Continued accumulation of flysch along the southern 

North Asian craton transform continental margin.

(3) Continued deformation of accreted island arcs and 

back-arc basins in a transpressional and dextral-slip 

faulting environment. 

(4) Accretion of the Salair island arc (part of the Altai 

collage)

(5) Formation of the South Siberian transpressive 

continental-margin arc during oblique convergence 

between the Mongolial-Okhotsk ocean plate and the 

North Asian craton.

(7) Continued formation of the South Mongolia-Khingan 

island arc and associated subduction zones (parts of the 

South Mongolia-Khingan collage).

(8) Inception of the Rudny Altay islanc arc and 

associated subduction zones (parts of the West Siberian 

collage).

(9) Opening of the Mongolia-Okhotsk ocean with 

migration of the South Mongolia-Khingan and Rudny 

Altay island arcs and the Argun-Idermeg superterrane 

away from the southern margin of the North Asian 

craton.

(10) Along the northeastern margin of the North Asian 

craton, continuation of the Amandykan continental 

margin along with back-arc rifts.

(11) The major metallogenic belt is related mainly to the 

South-Siberian transpressive continental-margin arc.

Time Stage 6 – Late Devonian (370 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) Continued formation of the South Mongolia-Khingan 

and the Rudny Altay island arcs and associated 

subduction zones.

(2) Continued opening of the Mongolia-Okhotsk ocean 

with migration of the South Mongolia-Khingan and 

Rudny Altay island arcs and the Argun-Idermeg 

superterrane away from the southern margin of the North 

Asian craton.

(3) Beginning of assembly of cratonal and passive 

continental-margin terranes (now in the Russian Far East 

and Northeast China) to form the Bureya-Jiamusi 

superterrane.

(4) Along the northeastern margin of the North Asian 

craton, inception of the Kedon continental-margin arc 

and associated subduction zones.

(5) Oblique convergence between the Mongol-Okhotsk 

ocean plate and the North Asian craton, resulting in 

transform displacement and oroclinal wrapping of the 

southern and western margins of the North Asian craton 

and continued formation of the South Siberian 

transpressional arc. 

(6) Tectonically linked and coeval formation of the 

Hangay-Dauria subduction zone.

(7) Rifting of the northeastern margin of the North Asian 

craton and craton margin to form various terranes in the 

Oimyakon Ocean, and associated rift-basin sedimentation 

along the northeast margin of the North Asian craton.

(8) Formation of major metallogenic belts related to the 

Rudny Altay and South Mongolia-Khingan island arcs, 

the South-Siberian transpressive continental-margin arc, 

intrusion of kimberlite pipes, rifting, and the Kedon 

continental-margin arc.
4

Time Stage 7 – Late Permian (250 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) In the northern North Asian craton, formation of the 

Tungus Plateau igneous province with widespread 

intrusive traps consisting of extensive belts of sills and 

dikes that intruded along major fault zones and extrusion 

of widespread basalt.

(2) Migration of previously rifted fragments (now 

terranes) away from the northeastern margin of the North 

Asian craton to become widely spaced parts of the 

Kolyma-Omolon superterrane. 

(3) Inception of the Alazeya island arc near fragments of 

the Kolyma-Omolon supterterrane.

(4) Inception of closure of the Mongolia-Okhotsk Ocean 

and inception of accretion of the Agun-Idermeg 

superterrane.

(5) Formation of the East Mongolian arc along the 

margin of the Argun-Idermeg superterrane and formation 

of the tectonically linked Tukuringra-Dzhadgy and 

Dzhagdy subduction zones.

(6) Formation of the Gobi-Khankaisk-Daxing’anling 

continental-margin arc along the outboard edge of the 

accreted South Mongolia-Khingan collage and the 

Argun-Idermeg superterrane.

(7) Formation of the transform-continental-margin 

Selenga and Hangay arcs along the southern margin of 

the North Asian craton and accreted terranes.

(8) Beginning of closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean 

and inception of an extensive, mainly right-lateral series 

of transform faults.

(9) Accretion of the Bureya-Jiamusi superterrane to the 

outboard margin of the Argun-Idermeg superterrane.

(10) Formation of the Jihei continental-margin arc along 

the margin of the Bureya-Jiamusi superterrane.

(11) Formation of the North Margin continental-margin 

arc along the edge of the appearing Sino-Korean craton.

(12) Formation of the Kara collisional granite belt from 

prior collision of the Kara terrane along the northern 

margin of the North Asian craton.

(13) Formation of major metallogenic belts related to 

superplume intrusion and trap magmatism, continentalmargin arcs, island arcs, and terrane collision. 

Time Stage 8 – Late Triassic (210 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) Accretions of the Argun-Idermeg superterrane, the 

Bureya-Jiamusi supterterrane, and the Sino-Korean 

craton.

(2) Continuation of closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk 

Ocean and continuation of an extensive, mainly rightlateral series of transpressional faults along the closed 

part of the ocean.

(3) Formation of the Selenga and Mongol-Transbaikal 

transpressional arcs along the transpressional fault 

system.

(4) Inception of the Uda-Murgal continental-margin and 

island-arc system along the eastern margin of the North 

Asian craton associated with subduction of the Ancestral 

Pacific Ocean Plate.

(5) Continuation of the Alazeya island arc near fragments 

of the Kolyma-Omolon supterrrane.

(6) Formation of major metallogenic belts related to 

transpressional arcs and to subducted oceanic crust.

Time Stage 9 – Late Jurassic (145 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) Final closure of the Mongolia-Okhotsk Ocean with 

resultant displacement of collisional processes eastward.

(2) Continued formation of transpressional fault zones 

along the axis of the closed Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean. 

(3) Continued formation of the Selenga, MongolTransbaikal, Trans-Baikalian Daxinganling, and 

Umelkan-Ogodzha arcs along the axis of the closed 

Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean in a transpressional-fault setting.

(4) Postcollisional transform faulting along within-plate 

transpression zones in Northeast China.

(5) Formation of the collisional Uda-Stanovoy arc along 

the southern margin of the Aldan-Stanovoy shield of the 

North Asian craton and westward into the eastern 

Transbaikalia region.

(6) Formaton of the Uyandina-Yasachnaya volcanic belt 

on the coalesced fragments of the Kolyma-Omolon 

superterrane before accretion.
5

(7) Accretion of the Kolyma superterrane and Okhotsk 

cratonal terrane against the Verkhoyansk (North Asian) 

cratonal margin and formation of collision-related 

granitoids, such as the Main Granite Belt, and associated

volcanic units.

(8) Formation of the Oloy continental-margin arc along 

the outboard edge of the accreted Kolyma-Omolon 

superterrane.

(9) Continued formation of the Uda-Murgal continentalmargin arc and tectonically linked subduction zones in 

response to subduction of the Ancestral Pacific Ocean 

Plate.

(10) Approaching and accretion (in the Early to midCretaceous) of the Chukotka terrane and marginal 

Nutesyn arc to the northern margin of the previously 

accreted Kolyma-Omolon superterrane.

(11) Beginning of underthrusting of the Kula oceanic 

ridge with bimodal igneous rocks along the transform 

continental margin in the Russian Far East.

(12) Formation of the Jihei volcanic and plutonic belt 

during interplate extensional tectonism.

(13) Formation of the the Daebo Granite belt in response 

to subduction of the Ancestral Pacific Ocean Plate.

(14) Formation of major sedimentary basins on cratons 

and accreted terranes. 

(15) Formation of major metallogenic belts related to 

transpressional arcs, underthrusting of the Kula Oceanic 

Ridge, and collision and accretion.

Time Stage 10 – Late Cretaceous (85 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) After accretion of the Kolyma-Omolon superterrane 

and Mainitskiy island arc, outboard of the terranes 

accreted along the eastern margin of the North Asian 

craton, outboard stepping of subduction and formation of 

the major Late Cretaceous and early Tertiary OkhotskChukotka continental-margin arc.

(2) After accretion of the Bureya-Jiamusi supterterrane 

and the Sino-Korean craton in the Late Jurassic through 

Early Cretaceous, and accretion of outboard terranes, 

outboard stepping of subduction and formation of the 

East Sikote-Alin continental-margin arc (containing the 

East Sikote-Alin volcanic-plutonic belt).

(3) Continued subduction of the Ancestral Pacific Ocean 

Plate to form tectonically linked subduction zones 

outboard of the Okhotsk-Chukotka and East Sikhote-Alin 

arcs.

(4) Formation of granitoids along the the Khingan 

transform continental-margin arc in response to oblique 

subduction of the Ancestral Pacific Ocean Plate.

(5) Formation of major back-arc basins in the Russian 

Northeast behind the Okhotsk-Chukotka continentalmargin arc and in northern China behind the East 

Sikhote-Alin continental-margin arc.

(6) Late-stage continuation of transpressional-fault zones 

along the axis of the closed Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean, and 

postcollisional transform faulting along within-plate 

transpression zones in Northeast China.

(7) In the late part of this time span, in the area of the 

East Sikhote-Alin fault, formation of a major continentalmargin transform-fault system in the Russian Southeast 

along with generation of bimodal granitic and volcanic 

rocks.

(8) In the area to become Japan, accretion of the HonshuSikhote-Alin collage that is composed mainly of islandarc, continental-margin turbidite (flysch), and 

subduction-zone terranes.

(9) To the north of the North Asian craton, inception of 

rifting and initial formation of the Eurasia Basin and 

Arctic Ocean.

(10) Formation of major metallogenic belts related to 

opening of the Eurasia Basin and to continental-margin 

arcs.

Time Stage 11 – Eocene (50 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) Approach and accretion of the Olyutorka-Kamchatka 

island arc and subduction zone onto the northeast margin

of Northeast Asia.

(2) With accretion of outboard terranes, cessation of the 

Okhotsk-Chukotka continental-margin arc.

(3) Approach and accretion of the Terprniya-Nemuro

island arc and subduction zone onto the eastern margin of 

Northeast Asia.

(4) Continuation of transpressional-fault zones along the 

axis of the closed Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean and 
6

postcollisional, transform faulting along within-plate 

transpression zones in Northeast China.

(5) Continued formation of the major continental-margin 

transform-fault system and generation of the younger part 

of the East Sikhote-Alin transform continental-margin arc 

in the Russian Southeast and Northeast China.

(6) Formation of extensive graben basins inboard of 

continental-margin arcs.

(7) Continued rifting with formation of the Gakkel 

oceanic ridge, Eurasian Basin, and Arctic Ocean.

(8) Formation of major metallogenic belts related to 

opening of the East Sikhote-Alin transform continentalmargin arc.

Time Stage 12 – Miocene (10 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) Formation of the short-lived Central Kamchatka 

continental-margin arc along the outboard margin of 

northern Northeast Asia.

(2) Migration and accretion of the Kronotskaya island arc 

and subduction zone onto the northeast margin of 

Northeast Asia. 

(3) After accretion, outboard stepping of subduction and 

inception of the Kamchatka-Kuril arcs.

(4) Formation of the Japan continental-margin arc in 

response to subduction of the Pacific Ocean Plate.

(5) Occurrence of back-arc spreading between the Japan 

arc and the southern part of Northeast Asia.

(6) Continued formation of extensive graben basins 

inboard of continental-margin arcs.

(7) To the south, formation of the Izu Bonin continentalmargin arc.

(8) In the Oligocene to Miocene, formation of the Baikal 

rift and the Central Asia basalt field.

(9) Continued rifting with formation of the Gakkel 

oceanic ridge, Eurasian Basin, and Arctic Ocean.

(10) Formation of major metallogenic belts related to 

continental-margin arcs and back-arcs and to an impact 

crater.

Time Stage 13 – Present (0 Ma)

The major features are:

(1) Continued formation of the Kuril-Kamchatka 

continental-margin arc along the eastern margin of 

Northeast Asia.

(2) Continued formation of the Japan continental-margin 

arc and back-arc spreading between the arc and the 

southern part of Northeast Asia.

(3) To the south, continued formation of the Izu Bonin 

continental-margin arc.

(4) Continued rifting and formation of the Gakkel 

oceanic ridge, the Eurasian Basin, and the Arctic Ocean.

(5) Continued formation of the Baikal rift.

(6) On the basis of modern-day earthquake foci, 

formation of several new tectonic plates across the 

region.

(10) Formation of major metallogenic belts related to 

continental-margin arcs and back arcs.

VIEWING AND READING PROGRAMS

The tectonic and metallogenic model is in Windows 

Media Player format (*.avi). Explanatory materials, 

including explanations, tables, and a companion article 

are in Adobe PDF files (*.pdf). Plain text files are in 

ASCII (*.txt). 

Reading and viewing programs can be obtained as 

follows. The latest version of Windows Media Player can 

be obtained from the Web at: 

http://windows.microsoft.com/enUS/windows/products/windows-media. The latest 

version of Adobe reader can be obtained from the Web 

at: http://get.adobe.com/reader/. The latest version of 

Quicktime can be obtained from the Web at: 

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.

CONTENTS AND LINKS

Documentation for this publication is in this file (of2011-

1026.pdf). 

The directories for this report, including the tectonic and 

metallogenic model, are stored in the following 

directories under the indicated file name. In alphabetical 

order, the files are described as follows
7

Directory \Model

The directory \Model contains the tectonic and 

metallogenic model in Windows Media Player format 

(*.avi). 

With the Windows Media Player program, or the 

QuickTime Movie Player program, the Windows Media 

Player file (Model.avi) can be viewed on both Windows 

and Macintosh computers. For easier manipulation of the 

computer model, the files can be copied onto a hard 

drive. Viewing from a hard drive will permit manual 

reversing and advancing of the model. 

In Windows Media Player, the button with the two 

vertical bars, near the lower-center part of the window, 

can be used to stop the animation. To start the animation, 

click on the button with a large right-pointing arrow. 

Stopping the animation at each of the major times will 

serve to show the major igneous-related metallogenic 

belts and lettering. If desired, the tectonic and 

metallogenic computer model can be set to run forever, 

that is, repeat.

Directory \Model_Figures 

The directory \Model_Figures contains digital files for 

the simplified time-stage figures that are adapted from 

the USGS Professional Paper 1765 on the metallogenesis 

and tectonics of Northeast Asia. The figures are provided 

in Adobe PDF (*.pdf) and Corel Draw X4 (*.cdr) 

formats. In addition, the PDF figures can be imported 

into newer versions of Adobe Illustrator. In both PDF and 

Corel Draw formats, each figure has layers that can be 

displayed or hidden. 

USGS Professional Paper 1765

The USGS Professional Paper 1765 contains Adobe PDF 

and other digital files for text and figures on the 

Metallogenesis and Tectonics of Northeast Asia. This 

paper provides essential data and interpretations for the 

tectonic interpretations for the tectonic and metallogenic 

model. The book is provided in Adobe PDF format and 

consists of nine chapters and three appendices as follows: 

(1) an introductory chapter; (2) a chapter on methodology 

of regional metallogenic and tectonic analysis; (3) a 

chapter on mineral deposit models for the region; (4) five 

chapters that describe the regional metallogenesis and 

tectonics of the region from the Archean through the 

Present for successive time stages; (5) a chapter on a 

metallogenic and tectonic model for the region; and (6) 

three appendixes, including on a description of the 

project and products, a description of map units for the 

Northeast Asia geodynamics map, and a summary table 

of metallogenic belts for the region. Each chapter and 

appendix is a separate directory. 

With the Adobe Reader, the files can be viewed and 

printed. The complete book is also contained in a single 

large Adobe PDF file named pp1765.pdf. The book is 

available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1765/

USGS Professional Paper 1697

USGS Professional Paper 1697 contains an Adobe PDF 

file for the text and figures on the metallogenesis and 

tectonics of the Russian Far East, Alaska, and the 

Canadian Cordillera. This paper provides essential data 

and interpretations for the Russian Far East part of the 

Northeast Asia tectonic and metallogenic model. The 

book is provided in Adobe format and consists of a single 

PDF file available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/pp1697/. 

PRODUCTION OF TECTONIC AND 

METALLOGENIC MODEL

The tectonic and metallogenic model was produced using 

the high-end computer morphing program, FantaMorph

from Abrosoft. The morphing was done with 13 static, 

time-stage diagrams prepared in Corel Draw and 

exported into JPG format. Use of the FantaMorph

program produced about 2,130 intermediate diagrams, to 

produce the sequence of time-stage figures with 

explanatory data. The tectonic and metallogenic model 

was prepared in the fall of 2010. 

ASSOCIATED PROJECT

The area of the associated project on the metallogenesis 

and tectonics of Northeast Asia, that produced various 

publications from which this publication is derived, 

encompasses the area of eastern Russia (most of eastern 

Siberia and the Russian Far East), Mongolia, northern 

China, South Korea, Japan, and adjacent offshore areas. 

The major purpose of the project is to provide a 

comprehensive synthesis of the regional geology, 

tectonics, and metallogenesis of Northeast Asia for

readers who are unfamiliar with the region and for 

researchers who desire detailed information on the 

region. An important goal of the project is to demonstrate 

how a high-quality metallogenic and tectonic analysis, 

including construction of an associated metallogenictectonic model, greatly benefits other mineral resource 

studies by (1) synthesizing of mineral-deposit models, (2) 

improving prediction of undiscovered mineral deposits as 

part of quantitative mineral-resource-assessment studies, 

(3) assisting land-use and mineral-exploration planning, 

(4) improving knowledge of regional geology, (5) 

improving interpretations of the origins of host rocks, 
8

mineral deposits, and metallogenic belts, and (6) 

suggesting new research. 

Research on the metallogenesis and tectonics of such 

major regions as Northeast Asia requires a complex 

methodology, including (1) definitions of key terms, (2) 

compilation of a regional geologic base map that can be 

interpreted according to modern tectonic concepts and 

definitions, (3) compilation of a mineral-deposit database 

that enables a determination of mineral-deposit models 

and clarification of the relations of deposits to host rocks 

and tectonic origins, (4) synthesis of a series of mineraldeposit models that characterize the known mineral 

deposits and inferred undiscovered deposits in the region, 

(5) compilation of a series of metallogenic-belt belts 

constructed on the regional geologic base map, and (6) 

construction of a unified metallogenic and tectonic 

model. The major products of this project are described 

in appendix A in Professional Paper 1765.

The Northeast Asia project builds on and extends the data 

and interpretations from a previous project on the Major 

Mineral Deposits, Metallogenesis, and Tectonics of the 

Russian Far East, Alaska, and the Canadian Cordillera

conducted by the USGS, the Russian Academy of 

Sciences, the Alaska Division of Geological and 

Geophysical Surveys, and the Geological Survey of 

Canada. The publications of this project are also 

described in appendix A in Professional Paper 1765.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Since the late 1980s, many persons have assisted us in 

developing and using the concepts of combined regional 

metallogenic and tectonic analysis and in devising 

methods for synthesizing a metallogenic-tectonic model, 

including T.K. Bundtzen, D.P. Cox, D.L. Jones, Ian O. 

Norton, D.W. Scholl, D.S. Singer, and D.B. Stone. 

We also thank managers A.S. Borisenko, N.L. 

Dobretsov, L.C. Gundersen, P.P. Hearn, K.M. Johnson, 

A.I. Khanchuk, R. Koski, M.I. Kuz’min, L.P. Leahy, J.H. 

Medlin, S.M. Rodionov, O. Tomurtogoo, and J.N. 

Weaver for their encouragement and support of the 

project.