Segment tip geometry of sheet intrusions, I: Theory and numerical models for the role of tip shape in controlling propagation pathways

Inferences about sheet intrusion emplacement mechanisms have been built largely on field observations of intrusiontip zones: magmatic systems that did not grow beyond their observed state. Here we use finite element simulationof elliptical to superelliptical crack tips, representing observed natural sill segments, to show the effect of silltip shape in controlling local stress concentrations, and the potential propagation pathways. Stress concentration magnitude and distribution is strongly affected by the position and magnitude of maximum tip curvature κmax. Elliptical tips concentrate stress in-plane with the sill, promoting coplanar growth. Super elliptical tips concentrate maximum tensile stress pσmaxqand shear stress out-of-plane of the sill, which may promote non-coplanar growth, vertical thickening, or coplanar viscous indentation. We find that σmax“Pep1`2? aκmaxq, where Peis magma excess pressure and a is sill half length. At short length-scales, blunted tips locally generate large tensile stresses;at longer length-scales, elliptical-tipped sills become more efficient at concentrating stress than blunt sills.