Abstract: Large igneous provinces (LIPs) play an important role in crustal growth, metallogenesis of metal elements, global climate changes and life evolution. Despite extensive studies of near-surface geological records of LIPs, our knowledge about the middle-lower crustal intrusions of LIPs is very limited. By comparing geological and geophysical data from the Emeishan LIP, the Siberian Traps, and the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, we investigate the effects of the magmatic plumbing system of LIPs on the continental crustal structure and global climate. Due to differences in the stress regime, the lithospheric thickness, and plume-lithosphere interaction, each LIP may contain a unique plumbing system and crustal structure, which will affect the dynamic evolution of the continental lithosphere. Thermal-mechanical erosion of the lithosphere by a mantle plume will cause lithospheric thinning. Under regional far-field extensional stress, the thermal weakening effect by eruption of LIPs along pre-existing weak zones can enhance the lithospheric extension and trigger the continental break-up. By contrast, if LIPs are far away from divergent plate boundaries or under regional compression, magma underplating and crustal intrusions will increase the crust-mantle coupling and the lithospheric strength, and consequently allow the long-term stability of cratons. Volcanism of LIPs is one of the controlling factors of global climate change, meanwhile large amounts of CO₂ and methane released by contact metamorphism between intrusions and surrounding rocks also contribute to climate changes. The plumbing system of LIPs establishes a bridge between deep mantle processes and the Earth’s surface system. Recognition and modeling of the plumbing system of LIPs will provide new insights into the plume-lithosphere interaction, metallogenic mechanisms of LIPs, as well as the relationships between LIPs and the global climate change and massive extinction events.