Large igneous provinces (LIPs) are intraplate magmatic events, involving volumes of mainly mafic magma upwards of 100,000 km3, and often above 1 million km3. They are linked to continental break-up, global environmental catastrophes, regional uplift and a variety of ore deposit types. In this up-to-date, fascinating book, leading expert Richard E. Ernst explores all aspects of LIPs, beginning by introducing their definition and essential characteristics. Topics covered include continental and oceanic LIPs; their origins, structures, and geochemistry; geological and environmental effects; association with silicic, carbonatite and kimberlite magmatism; and analogues of LIPs in the Archean, and on other planets. The book concludes with an assessment of LIPs' influence on natural resources such as mineral deposits, petroleum and aquifers. This is a one-stop resource for researchers and graduate students in a wide range of disciplines, including tectonics, igneous petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, Earth history, and planetary geology, and for mining industry professionals.

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Field Trip Guidebooks Series, Volume 305. This field trip was conceived as a way to introduce one of the major volcano-tectonic features of the North American continent to visiting scientists from abroad. Its objectives are to allow the participants to observe first hand the geologic relationships relevant to the formation of the Snake River Plain (SRP) and to discuss various interpretations of SRP genesis. The approach to these objectives is to travel the length of the plain from northeast to southwest and to examine in a logical manner, from younger to older volcanic rocks, the relationships important to an understanding of its origin and evolution (Fig. 1). Even though basaltic volcanism is commonly thought of in association with the SRP, this field trip will emphasize the importance of silicic volcanism because of its much greater volume and because of its profound effect on the upper crustal structure of the SRP.