Introduction to the Special issue of the Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, “Magmatic and metallogenic processes associated with large igneous provinces”

This Special volume published by the Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences consists of a collection of six papers on the petrology, geochemistry, and metallogeny of igneous rocks emplaced in large igneous provinces (LIPs). The papers provide a snapshot of results presented at a Special Session of the 2017 Geological Association of Canada – Mineral Association of Canada Joint Annual Meeting held in Kingston, Ontario, by members of the vibrant geoscience community dedicated to the study of LIPs. Participants applauded the idea of a joint session on these topics and as a result, the session fostered animated discussions and new collaborations. The scope of magmatic and metallogenic studies of LIPs often precludes the type of brainstorming that took place during the meeting. This Special volume demonstrates that a robust understanding of magmatic processes represents the essential first step towards the search for mineral deposits in LIPs worldwide.