Structural signatures of igneous sheet intrusion propagation
File(s)Magee_JSG_accepted_2018.pdf (1.75 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The geometry and distribution of planar igneous bodies (i.e. sheet intrusions), such as dykes, sills, and inclined sheets, has long been used to determine emplacement mechanics, define melt source locations, and reconstruct palaeostress conditions to shed light on various tectonic and magmatic processes. Since the 1970's we have recognised that sheet intrusions do not necessarily display a continuous, planar geometry, but commonly consist of segments. The morphology of these segments and their connectors is controlled by, and provide insights into, the behaviour of the host rock during emplacement. For example, tensile brittle fracturing leads to the formation of intrusive steps or bridge structures between adjacent segments. In contrast, brittle shear faulting, cataclastic and ductile flow processes, as well as heat-induced viscous flow or fluidization, promotes magma finger development. Textural indicators of magma flow (e.g., rock fabrics) reveal that segments are aligned parallel to the initial sheet propagation direction. Recognising and mapping segment long axes thus allows melt source location hypotheses, derived from sheet distribution and orientation, to be robustly tested. Despite the information that can be obtained from these structural signatures of sheet intrusion propagation, they are largely overlooked by the structural and volcanological communities. To highlight their utility, we briefly review the formation of sheet intrusion segments, discuss how they inform interpretations of magma emplacement, and outline future research directions.
Date Issued
2019-06-22
Date Acceptance
2018-07-17
Citation
Journal of Structural Geology, 2019, 125, pp.148-154
ISSN
0191-8141
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
148
End Page
154
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Structural Geology
Volume
125
Copyright Statement
© 2018 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Junior Research Fellowship
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191814118303821?via=ihub
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Geology
Magma
Sheet intrusion
Dyke
Sill
Flow
Structure
TRACHYTE MESA INTRUSION
MAGMA-FLOW
SILL EMPLACEMENT
HENRY MOUNTAINS
CONE SHEETS
FRACTURE
INSIGHTS
ROCK
GEOMETRY
GROWTH
0403 Geology
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-07-21