A reappraisal of the high-Ti and low-Ti classification of basalts and petrogenetic linkage between basalts and mafic–ultramafic intrusions in the Emeishan Large Igneous Province, SW China

Based on published data, we reappraise the classification of high-Ti and low-Ti basalt from the Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) and the correlations between basalts and mafic–ultramafic intrusions. Because of the lack of clear spatial and temporal variations of different types of basalts, we suggest that the basalts in the ELIP cannot be classified into high-Ti and low-Ti groups, by TiO2 contents and/or Ti/Y ratios. The distinctive characteristics of these high-Ti and low-Ti lavas probably result largely from the different fractionating assemblages. Whether or not fractional crystallization of the Fe–Ti oxides occurred probably is the key factor that controls the Ti abundances and Ti/Y ratios in the residual melts, e.g., lavas, although the nature of the mantle sources, variable degrees of partial melting of mantle and crustal contamination also influence the geochemical signatures of the lavas. Therefore, neither Ti abundance nor Ti/Y ratios in basalts can reflect the nature of their mantle source. Moreover, the different types of mafic–ultramafic intrusions in the ELIP cannot simply be attributed to be genetically related special types of basalts, either high-Ti or low-Ti basalts. It is likely that they are merely the cumulus phases, i.e. chamber or conduit of the basaltic lavas. Hence, caution should be exercised in the use of high-Ti or low-Ti basalts as prospecting vectors for ore deposits in the region. Potential implications are proposed that both the Fe–V–Ti oxide and Cu–Ni–(PGE) sulfide mineralization in the ELIP intrusions is largely due to the variable differentiation and crustal contamination during magmatic processes.

► The basalts in ELIP cannot be roughly classified into high-Ti and low-Ti groups.
► Their characteristics largely result from the different fractionating assemblages.
► They cannot simply be related to some special types of mafic-ultramafic intrusions.
► The mafic-ultramafic intrusions are merely the cumulus phases of the lavas.