Plume-lithosphere interaction in the generation of the Tarim large igneous province, NW China: Geochronological and geochemical constraints

Abstract

Correlations between isotopic and trace element ratios indicate that some dikes with low Nd (t) and low initial Pb isotope ratios could have been subjected to crustal assimilation. We propose a model involving plume-lithosphere interaction to account for the two discrete magmatic episodes with distinct mantle sources in the TLIP. The earlier episode was formed in response to the impact of a sub-lithospheric mantle plume at the base of the SCLM. Partial melting of the metasomatized lithospheric mantle was triggered by temperature increase due to conductive heating of the impregnating mantle plume. The later episode was generated by decompression melting of the mantle plume, as a result of deflection of the plume towards the margins of the Tarim Craton with thinner lithosphere.

The Early Permian Tarim Large Igneous Province: Main characteristics and a plume incubation model

“…The Permian basalts crop out largely in the western part of the Tarim Basin, including Keping and Xiahenan in western Tarim (Chen et al, 1997;Jiang et al, 2006;Li et al, 2011;Wei et al, 2014;Yu et al, 2011b;Zhou et al, 2009) and Qipan and Damusi sections in SW Tarim (Li et al, 2013;Yang et al, 2006a). Most studies have been carried on the Keping basalts, where the complete Permian basalt successions occur in Yingan, Kaipaizileike and Sishichang.…”

“…The matrix is composed of clinopyroxene, phlogopite, olivine, apatite, perovskite, baddeleyite, garnet, spinel, rutile, magnetite, calcite and graphite (Zhang et al, 2013). The Wajilitag kimberlites show fractionated Wei et al, 2014;Yang et al, 2007). The inset shows the locations of the Siberia Traps to the north and the Emeishan LIP to the south (modified after Zhou et al, 2009).…”

“…Recent gas and petroleum exploration in the Tarim Basin has provided drill boreholes and seismic profiles of variable scale, offering an ideal opportunity to better understand this LIP (e.g., Li et al, 2011;Liu et al, 2014;Tian et al, 2010). In addition, there are sufficiently large amounts of data available from exposed lava sections, intrusions and numerous dykes, and kimberlite pipes in the NW and W Tarim (Bachu, Keping, Piqiang) for an integrated analysis to be undertaken (Chen et al, 1997;Jiang et al, 2006;Wei et al, 2014;Yang et al, 2005;Yu et al, 2011b;Zhang et al, 2008aZhang et al, , 2010bZhang et al, , 2013Zhou et al, 2009). This review paper starts with a summary of the main characteristics of the Tarim LIP including its rock type, composition and emplacement ages.…”

“…The Permian is marked by the presence of four LIPs that cluster in eastern Asia, namely the Siberian traps (251 Ma, Kamo et al, 2003), Emeishan basalts (~260 Ma, He et al, 2007;Shellnutt et al, 2012;Xu et al, 2008;Zhong et al, 2014;Zhou et al, 2002), Tarim basalts (280-290 Ma, Wei et al, 2014) and Panjal traps (~290 Ma; Shellnutt et al, 2014). Interestingly, a number of major global events occurred almost simultaneously during the late Paleozoic, including the double (Permian-Triassic and end-Guadalupian) mass extinctions, ocean superanoxia, sharp C and Sr isotopic excursions, sea-level drop and Illawara geomagnetic reversal (Borisenko et al, 2006;Isozaki, 2009).…”

An Early Permian (ca. 280Ma) silicic igneous province in the Alxa Block, NW China: A magmatic flare-up triggered by a mantle-plume?

“…280 Ma) igneous rocks with predominantly ultramafic-mafic rocks are widespread in the Tarim Craton and the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) (e.g., Li et al, 2011;Wei et al, 2014;Xia et al, 2012;Xu et al, 2013;Yang et al, 2007Yang et al, , 2013Zhang et al, 2010;Zhou et al, 2004Zhou et al, , 2009, and correspond to the Tarim LIP (e.g., Qin et al, 2011;Su et al, 2011Su et al, , 2012. Recent dating of rocks on the Alxa Block, adjacent to the Tarim Craton and the CAOB, reveals that a large area of Early Permian (ca.…”