A Curie Point Depth Model of the Conterminous United States Derived From a Prior‐Constrained Equivalent Source Inversion

Abstract The Curie Point Depth (CPD) is a key thermal boundary in the deep lithosphere and is widely used to constrain its thermal structure. However, uncertainties in magnetization and the non‐uniqueness of inversion lead to considerable inter‐study differences. We present a prior‐constrained equivalent source inversion framework that derives a spatially heterogeneous, layered susceptibility model from vertically integrated susceptibility and, by jointly enforcing lithospheric magnetic field and thermal constraints, yields a new CPD model for the conterminous United States. The resulting CPD resolves features within tectonic provinces and belt‐like structures that were muted in existing products. Surface heat flow inferred from CPD agrees well with independent thermal model estimates (RMSE = 16.36 mW/m 2 ). The results further demonstrate the importance of a priori constraints in inversion, and that inappropriate starting models can lead to systematic biases. The inversion framework is portable, enabling rapid construction of reliable deep‐thermal constraints on the lithosphere.