Geodynamic Significances of the Emeishan Basalts

The Emeishan large igneous province has been suggested to be formed from mantle plumes; yet, the plume formation is debated. Radiometric dating showed that the main phase of the Emeishan basalts (EBs) occurred at ∼260 Ma, corresponding to the end-Guadalupian mass extinction. Recent numerical modeling suggested that the mantle-plume activity is linked closely to both the superchron and the mass extinction. Therefore, the age and duration of EBs are key issues to further understand the Emeishan mantle-plume activity, the end-Guadalupian mass extinction, and genesis of the Kiaman reverse superchron. In the present article, we summarize the recent progresses on these topics. In combination with our new paleomagnetic results, we further discussed the relationship between the EBs and the end-Guadulupian mass extinction, as well as their geodynamic significances.