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-P2O-TiO2 basalt (HPT) and low-P2O5-TiO2 basalt (LPT), which differ distinctly in geochemistry: the LPTs are characterized by relatively high abundances of MgO, total FeO and P2O5 and compatible elements (Cr, Ni, Sc), and relatively low contents of moderately compatible elements (V, Y, Yb, Co), LREE and other incompatible elements compared with the HPT. On the diagrams of trace element ratios, they are plotted 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 between mantle plume and lithospheric mantle containing such volatile-rich minerals as amphibole and apatite. 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 by pa