Large igneous provinces

Table of Contents

Preface
1. Introduction, definition, and general characteristics
2. Essential criteria: distinguishing LIP from non-LIP events
3. Continental flood basalts and volcanic rifted margins
4. Oceanic LIPs: oceanic plateaus and ocean basin flood basalts and their remnants through time
5. Plumbing system of LIPs
6. Archean LIPs
7. Planetary LIPs
8. Silicic (felsic) LIPs
9. Links with carbonatites, kimberlites, and lamprophyres/lamproites
10. Geochemistry of LIPs
11. LIPs and topographic changes
12. LIPs and rifting
13. LIPs and links with contractional structures
14. LIPs and environmental catastrophes
15. Assessing the origin of LIPs
16. LIPs and implications for mineral, hydrocarbon and water resources
References
Index.

Large igneous provinces (LIPs) are intraplate magmatic events, involving volumes of mainly mafic magma upwards of 100,000 km3, and often above 1 million km3. They are linked to continental break-up, global environmental catastrophes, regional uplift and a variety of ore deposit types. In this up-to-date, fascinating book, leading expert Richard E. Ernst explores all aspects of LIPs, beginning by introducing their definition and essential characteristics. Topics covered include continental and oceanic LIPs; their origins, structures, and geochemistry; geological and environmental effects; association with silicic, carbonatite and kimberlite magmatism; and analogues of LIPs in the Archean, and on other planets. The book concludes with an assessment of LIPs' influence on natural resources such as mineral deposits, petroleum and aquifers. This is a one-stop resource for researchers and graduate students in a wide range of disciplines, including tectonics, igneous petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, Earth history, and planetary geology, and for mining industry professionals.

• Presents the first up-to-date, one-stop resource on all major aspects of LIPs
• Brings together many aspects of Earth sciences into one paradigm, demonstrating LIPs' links to continental breakup, climate crises including mass extinction events, huge ore deposits, and magmatism on other planets
• Provides broad coverage applicable to many different fields of Earth science disciplines, including tectonics, igneous petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, Earth history, and planetary geology