Large Igneous Province and magmatic arc sourced Permian–Triassic volcanogenic sediments in China

Whole-rock geochemistry and zircon trace element and U-Pb age data for Late Permian–early Middle Triassic volcanogenic sedimentary rocks in SW China show a change from Large Igneous Province to subduction-related sources immediately before the Permian–Triassic boundary. Zircons from Late Permian samples give identical within-error ages to the adjoining Emeishan Large Igneous Province (LIP). The bulk-rock geochemistry of these Late Permian units shows no depletion in high field strength elements and is similar to the high-titanium basalts of the Emeishan. Six samples of latest Permian–earliest Triassic tuff and two earliest Middle Triassic tuffs samples yield U-Pb zircon ages at of ~ 252 Ma and ~ 247 Ma, respectively. These tuffs and interstratified volcanogenic sedimentary rocks show significant depletion in high field strength elements, akin to magmatic arc-related rocks. Zircons from the tuffs have Nb/Hf, Th/Nb and Hf/Th ratios similar to those from arc/orogenic-related settings and distinct from the zircons from the Late Permian samples which display within-plate/anorogenic characteristics. Our data demonstrate that there is a compositional change of the volcanogenic sediments across the Permian–Triassic boundary in South China.

► We study the Late Permian-Middle Triassic volcanogenic sediments in SW China. ► A distinct compositional change across the Permo-Triassic boundary was found. ► Source changed from LIP to magmatic arc related volcanic rocks. ► Zircon trace elements are useful provenance indicator.