New Estimates on the Basalt Volume of the Tarim (Not So Large) Igneous Province, NW China

The early Permian basalts of the Tarim Basin NW China are geographically widespread, covering over 200,000 km2 and in places up to 1-km thick hence frequently referred represent a Large Igneous Province (LIP). Available volume estimates based on average lava thickness multiplied by area, using these values results volumes exceeding 100,000 km3, is commonly cited as being evidence LIP status. Using database 58 boreholes, field sections, seismic data we calculate range basalt isopach maps, use estimate new, more refined overall eruption volumes. These significantly smaller than previously reported estimates. We demonstrate that distribution erupted nonuniform strongly skewed, indicating an arithmetically averaged input will result overestimation total find even with addition estimated nonerupted component, representing cumulates intrusions, volcanics below minimum threshold LIP. simple Monte Carlo model while accounting for uncertainty error data, probability km3 very low. new imply revision climate environmental impact volcanism. therefore suggest term should be used instead Province.