The Principles for Discrimination of the Source Composition of Mantle-Derived Igneous Rocks and the Nature of the Mantle Source Region of the Emeishan Basalts

This paper discusses the discrimination principles. deduction and methods for probing into the source composition of mantle-derived magma. The magmatophile (incompatible) source elements are not all optimal tracers for mantle source composition. The ratios of two strong magmatophile elements (D<1) or the ratios of two trace elements with the same D value are not controlled by the formation mode and evolution degree of a magma, but maintain the characteristics of their composition in mantle source region prior to the magma formation. The ratios are related to different mantle-crust structures and dynamics. The mantle source composition of the Emeishan Basalt series is similar to that of the South Atlantic Rio Grande Rise-Walvis Ridge Basalts and Brazil continental-margin basalts. This may indicate that these basalt series might have similar source regions and tectonic environments.

Geochemistry of Two Types of Basalts in the Emeishan Basaltic Province: Evidence for Mantle Plume-Lithosphere Interaction

Based on the temporal-spatial distribution and geochemical characteristics,the Emeishan basalts can be divided into two types: high-P_2O-TiO_2 basalt (HPT) andlow-P_2O_5-TiO_2 basalt (LPT), which differ distinctly in geochemistry: the LPTs are characterizedby relatively high abundances of MgO, total FeO and P_2O_5 and compatible elements (Cr, Ni, Sc), andrelatively low contents of moderately compatible elements (V, Y, Yb, Co), LREE and otherincompatible elements compared with the HPT. On the diagrams of trace element ratios, they areplotted on an approximately linear mixing line between depleted and enriched mantle sources,suggesting that these two types of basalts resulted from interactions of varying degrees betweenmantle plume and lithospheric mantle containing such volatile-rich minerals as amphibole andapatite. The source region of the LPT involves a smaller proportion of lithospheric components,while that of the HTP has a larger proportion of lithospheric components. Trachyte is generated bypartial melting of the basic igneous rocks at the base of the lower continental crust. Both the twotypes of magmas underwent certain crystal fractionation and contamination of the lower crest athigh-level magma chambers and en route to the surface.

Integration of zircon and apatite U–Pb geochronology and geochemical mapping of the Wude basalts(Emeishan large igneous province):A tool for a better understanding of the tectonothermal and geodynamic evolution of the Emeishan LIP

Radiogenic isotopic dating and Lu–Hf isotopic composition using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS)of the Wude basalt in Yunnan province from the Emeishan large igneous province(ELIP)yielded timing of formation and post-eruption tectonothermal event.Holistic lithogeochemistry and elements mapping of basaltic rocks were further reevaluated to provide insights into crustal contamination and formation of the ELIP.A zircon U–Pb age of 251.3±2.0 Ma of the Wude basalt recorded the youngest volcanic eruption event and was consistent with the age span of 251-263 Ma for the emplacement of the ELIP.Such zircons hadε_(Hf)(t)values ranging from7.3 to+2.2,identical to those of magmatic zircons from the intrusive rocks of the ELIP,suggesting that crust-mantle interaction occurred during magmatic emplacement,or crust-mantle mixing existed in the deep source region prior to deep melting.The apatite U–Pb age at 53.6±3.4 Ma recorded an early Eocene magmatic superimposition of a regional tectonothermal event,corresponding to the Indian–Eurasian plate collision.Negative Nb,Ta,Ti and P anomalies of the Emeishan basalt may reflect crustal contamination.The uneven Nb/La and Th/Ta values distribution throughout the ELIP supported a mantle plume model origin.Therefore,the ELIP was formed as a result of a mantle plume which was later superimposed by a regional tectonothermal event attributed to the Indian–Eurasian plate collision during early Eocene.

Study on REEs as tracers for late permian coal measures in Bijie City,Guizhou Province,China

Analyses of Rare Earth Elements （REEs） in 13 coal samples collected from Late Permian coal measures of Bijie City in western Guizhou Province were conducted using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass-Spectrometry （ICP-MS）. The results indicated that REEs patterns were not controlled by materials from the sea, whereas the contribution of land plants was about 1%. The major sources of REEs were from terrigenous material as indicated by negative Eu anomaly. There were similar distribution curves of REEs between Bijie＇s coal and Emeishan basalt. M12 coal seam, which had the highest ∑REE, appeared near the boundary between Longtan Formation and Changxing Formation, which was closely correlated to the eruption of Emeishan basalt. The Emeishan basalt contributed to REEs enrichment of M12. So the sources of REEs were controlled by terrigenous material, and the Emeishan basalt was the predominant source of terrigenous material, which dominated the enrichment and pattern of REEs in Late Permian coal measure from Bijie.

Research on the characteristics and influencing factors of terrestrial heat flow in Guizhou Province

Terrestrial heat flow is an important physical parameter in the study of heat transfer and thermal structure of the earth and it has great significance in the genesis and development and utilization potential of regional geothermal resources.Although several breakthroughs in geothermal exploration have been made in Guizhou Province.The terrestrial heat flow in this area has not been properly measured,restricting the development of geothermal resources in the province.For this reason,the terrestrial heat flow in Guizhou was measured in this study,during which the characteristics of heat flow were determined using borehole thermometry,geothermal monitoring and thermal property testing.Moreover,the influencing factors of the terrestrial heat flow were analyzed.The results show that the thermal conductivity of rocks ranges from 2.0W/(m·K)to 5.0 W/(m·K),with an average of 3.399 W/(m·K);the heat flow varies from 30.27 mW/m^(2) to 157.55 mW/m^(2),with an average of 65.26±20.93 mW/m^(2),which is slightly higher than that of the average heat flow in entire land area in China.The heat flow in Guizhou generally follows a dumbbell-shaped distribution,with high values present in the east and west and low values occurring in the north and south.The terrestrial heat flow is related to the burial depths of the Moho and Curie surface.The basaltic eruptions in the Emeishan led to a thinner lithosphere,thicker crust and lateral emplacement,which dominated the basic pattern of heat flow distribution in Guizhou.In addition,the dichotomous structure of regional active faults and concealed deep faults jointly control the heat transfer channels and thus influence the terrestrial heat flow.

Carbon Isotopic Evolution Characteristics and the Geological Significance of the Permian Carbonate Stratotype Section in the Northern Upper-Yangtze Region, Southern China

The Permian global mass extinction events and the eruption of the Emeishan flood basalts in the Upper Yangtze region should display certain responses during the evolution of carbon isotope. In this paper, the Permian carbon isotopic evolution in the Upper Yangtze region is examined through systematic stratotype section sampling and determination of 13 C in the northern Upper-Yangtze regions and Southern China. Additionally, the carbon isotopic evolution response characteristics of the geological events in the region are evaluated, comparing the sea-level changes in the Upper Yangtze region and the global sea-level change curves. Results of this study indicated that the carbon isotopic curves of the Permian in the Upper Yangtze region are characterized by higher background carbonisotope baseline values, with three distinct negative excursions, which are located at the Middle–Late Permian boundary and the late period and end of the Late Permian. The three distinct negative excursions provide an insightful record of the global Permian mass extinction events and the eruption of the Emeishan flood basalts in the Upper Yangtze region. The first negative excursion at the Middle–Late Permian boundary reflected the eruption of the Emeishan flood basalts, a decrease in sea level, and biological extinction events of different genera in varying degrees. The second negative excursion in the Late Permian included a decrease in sea level and large-scale biological replacement events. The third negative excursion of the carbon isotope at the end of the Permian corresponded unusually to a rise rather than a decrease in sea level, and it revealed the largest biological mass extinction event in history.

Development characteristics and petroleum geological significance of Permian pyroclastic flow volcanic rocks in Western Sichuan Basin,SW China

By examining field outcrops, drilling cores and seismic data, it is concluded that the Middle and Late Permian “Emeishan basalts” in Western Sichuan Basin were developed in two large eruption cycles, and the two sets of igneous rocks are in unconformable contact. The lower cycle is dominated by overflow volcanic rocks;while the upper cycle made up of pyroclastic flow volcanic breccia and pyroclastic lava is typical explosive facies accumulation. With high-quality micro-dissolution pores and ultra-fine dissolution pores, the upper cycle is a set of high-quality porous reservoir. Based on strong heterogeneity and great differences of pyroclastic flow subfacies from surrounding rocks in lithology and physical properties, the volcanic facies and volcanic edifices in Western Sichuan were effectively predicted and characterized by using seismic attribute analysis method and instantaneous amplitude and instantaneous frequency coherence analysis. The pyroclastic flow volcanic rocks are widely distributed in the Jianyang area. Centering around wells YT1, TF2 and TF8, the volcanic rocks in Jianyang area had 3edifice groups and an area of about 500 km^(2), which is the most favorable area for oil and gas exploration in volcanic rocks.