Isopach maps of the Qixia and Maokou formations: Implication for mantle plume model of the Emeishan large igneous province

The thicknesses of Qixia and Maokou formations in the Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP) and peripheral areas were collected and isopach maps were made by Surfer respectively. The isopach maps indicate that uplift caused by Emeishan mantle plume has started in Qixianian. Disconformities were distributed broadly on the top of Maokou Formation, which demonstrate that Maokou Formation has been uplifted over the sea level and denudated differentially. This has been predicated in Campbell and Griffiths' s classic mantle plume model. There is a blank area of Permian stratum in Yongren-Dayao-Chuxiong-Shiping and Yiliang-Qujing, which probably was the maximum uplift area. The maximum uplift of ELIP was 1500m induced through laboratory model, which was basically in agreement with the result of sedimentary records. The center of mantle plume implied by differential erosion was consistent with the focus of radiating basic dyke swarms. Hydromagmatic deposits and submarine basaltic extrusions were the result of the rapid subsidence followed the uplift and weren't an important evidence to deny the mantle plume dynamic model of ELIP.