Large Igneous Provinces: Petrogenesis, Mineralization, and Environmental Impact
A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 51
Special Issue Editors
Interests: igneous petrology; large igneous province; plume–subducted slab interaction; ore deposit
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: igneous petrology; large igneous province; mantle plume
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Large igneous provinces (LIPs), as Earth’s largest event, play pivotal roles in shaping crustal evolution, driving large-scale mineralization events, and triggering profound environmental perturbations throughout geological history. Their episodic emplacement not only redefines lithospheric architecture but also serves as a critical driver in modulating the Earth’s habitability by altering atmospheric–oceanic redox states, biogeochemical cycles, and biotic evolution. Despite their significance, the complex interplay between LIP magmatism, ore-forming processes, and environmental consequences—particularly their dual role as both disruptors and enablers of planetary habitability—remains inadequately explored through integrative multidisciplinary frameworks.
This Special Issue aims to synthesize cutting-edge research on LIPs by bridging petrogenetic studies, mineralization mechanisms, and environmental impact assessments. Submissions that address critical knowledge gaps in the following areas are preferred:
1) Petrogenesis—What mantle and crustal processes govern the generation, emplacement, and geochemical evolution of large igneous province (LIP) magmas? How do plume–lithosphere interactions and crustal assimilation influence melt composition?
2) Metallogenesis—How do LIP-related magmatic–hydrothermal systems concentrate critical metals (e.g., Cr, Ni, Cu, PGEs, V-Ti-Fe, REE, and diamond)? What tectonic and geochemical thresholds distinguish barren from ore-forming LIP events?
3) Environmental Impact—To what extent do LIP volcanism and degassing drive past climate crises, biogeochemical cycles, and mass extinctions? Can quantitative models reconcile the timing and magnitude of environmental responses with magmatic pulses?
4) Habitability Connections—How have LIPs influenced the Earth’s long-term habitability through volatile fluxes (CO₂, SO₂, halogens), weathering feedbacks, and nutrient cycling? Do LIPs represent geodynamic tipping points that reset planetary conditions, fostering subsequent biological innovation?
Prof. Dr. Zhaochong Zhang
Dr. Zhiguo Cheng
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- mantle plumes
- volcanic systems
- geodynamics
- ore deposits
- climate change
- mass extinctions
- earth's habitability
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