Abstract: The volcanite-type iron deposit is one of main types for the iron deposits in China, whose metallization is related to the volcanic action. But the relevance study is far later than its mineral prospecting, where some great breakthrough had been made. This paper has made a review on the present research situation, such as definition, origin, tectonic setting, classification, feature and genetic hypothesis of this type deposits. The results show that the tectonic background of these iron deposits can be divided into eugeosyncline fold belt, continental margin orogenic belt, faulted basin and deep fracture zone. And these deposits are closely related to volcanic activity, which can be classified as mineral pulp-type and volcanic hydrothermal-type. Finlally, it's believed that the magnetite component, metallogenetic age and origin will be the research topics of these iron deposits in future.