Petrogenetic model of the Permian Tarim Large Igneous Province

Over the last two decades great strides have been made in characterizing the spatial distribution, time sequence, geochemical characteristics, mantle sources, and magma evolution processes for various igneous rocks in the Early Permian Tarim Large Igneous Province (TLIP). This work has laid a solid foundation for revealing the evolutionary processes and genetic models of large igneous provinces (LIPs). This study systematically demonstrates the two-stage melting model for the TLIP based on our previous research work and predecessor achievements, and highlights the two types of magmatic rocks within the TLIP. The two-stage melting model suggests that the formation of the TLIP is mantle plume related. The early hot mantle plume caused the low-degree partial melting of the lithosphere mantle, while in the later stage, the plume partially melted due to adiabatic uplift and decompression. Therefore, this model carries signatures of both the Parana and Deccan models in terms of mantle plume activity. During the early stage, the mantle plume provided the heat required for partial melting of sub-continental lithosphere mantle (SCLM), similar to the Parana Model, while later the plume acted as the main avenue for melting, as in the Deccan Model. Basalts that erupted in the first stage have higher Sr-87/Sr-86, lower Nd-143/Nd-144 ratios, and are enriched in large ion lithophile elements and high field strength elements, indicating a possible origin from the enriched continental lithosphere mantle, similar to the Parana type geochemical features. The basic-ultrabasic intrusive rocks in the second stage exhibit lower Sr-87/Sr-86, higher Nd-143/Nd-144 ratios relative to the basalts, consistent with the involvement of a more depleted asthenospheric material, such as a mantle plume, similar to the Deccan type geochemical features. The first stage basalts can be further subdivided into two categories, i.e., Group 1 and Group 2 basalts. Group 2 basalts have lower Sr-87/Sr-86 and higher Nd-143/Nd-144 ratios than Group 1 basalts, and lie between compositions of the Group 1 basalts and second stage magmatism. Group 2 basalts may be the intermediate component of the TLIP, and the whole TLIP is the result of plume and lithosphere interaction. Developing this petrogenetic model for the TLIP aids in comprehensively understanding its magmatism and deep geological and geodynamic processes. Furthermore, this work enriches the theories describing the origin of large igneous province and mantle plume activity.