Crustal velocity structure in the Emeishan large igneous province and evidence of the Permian mantle plume activity

The Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) in SW China is interpreted to be associated with an ancient mantle plume. Most of the constraints on the role of mantle plume in the generation of the Emeishan flood basalts were provided by geological and geochemical methods, but the geophysical investigation is very limited. In order to better understand the deep structure and features of ELIP, we have studied the crustal velocity structure using the data acquired from the Lijiang-Panzhihua-Qingzhen wide-angle seismic profile. This profile crosses the three sub-zones of the ELIP (the inner, intermediate, and outer zones), divided based on the differential erosion and uplift of the Maokou limestone. The results provided by the active source seismic experiment demonstrate: (1) The average depth of the crystalline basement along the profile is about 2 km. (2) The middle crust in the Inner Zone is characterized by high-velocity anomalies, with the average velocity of 6.2-6.6 km/s, which is about 0.1-0.2 km/s higher than the normal one. The velocity of the lower crust in the inner zone is 6.9-7.2 km/s, higher than those observed in the intermediate and outer zones (6.7-7.0 km/s). Relatively low velocity anomalies appear in the upper, middle and lower crusts near the junction of the inner zone and intermediate zone, probably due to the effect of the Xiaojiang fault (XJF). (3) The average velocity of the crust is comparatively low on both sides of XJF, especially on the east side, and the average velocity of the consolidated continental crust is also low there. This may suggest that the XJF extends at least down to 40 km deep, even beyond through the crust. (4) The depth to the Moho discontinuity decrease gradually from 47-53 km in the inner zone, via 42-50 km in the intermediate zone to 38-42 km in the outer zone. In the inner zone, the Moho uplifts locally and the (consolidated) crust is characterized by high-velocity anomalies, which are likely related to intensive magma intrusion and underplating associated with melting of plume head. Overall the crustal velocity structure in the study area recorded the imprint left by the Permian Emeishan mantle plume.