The potential for structural failure of consolidated clay materials, which is of great importance in many applications, typically are assessed by measuring the localized strain bands that develop under anisotropic load stress. Most methods are precluded from providing a full understanding of the strain anisotropy because they only give two-dimensional information about the stressed clay blocks. The purpose of the present study was to investigate three-dimensional strain localization in a kaolinite matrix, caused by strain anisotropy due to a biaxial plane-strain test, using a relatively new method known as Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS). This method involves induction of magnetism in an oriented sample in different directions and measurement of the induced magnetization in each direction. The AMS analyses were performed on core samples from different parts of the deformed kaolinite matrix. The degree of magnetic anisotropy (P′), which is a measure of the intensity of magnetic fabric and a gauge of strain intensity, was shown to be greater in cores containing shear bands than in those containing none. A threshold value for P′ for the deformed kaolinite matrix was identified, above which shear bands may develop. The comparison of the shape parameter (T), obtained from undeformed and deformed samples, illustrated a superimposition of prolate strain over the original oblate fabric of the kaolinite matrix. The orientation of the principal strain axis revealed that reorientation or rotation of the principal axis occurred along the shear bands.

Study of constraints of stock emplacement and geometry on associated skarn orebodies is significant for the understanding of the epithermal deposit system. We have chosen the typical Tongguanshan skarn ore deposit (eastern China) as our target area. The Tongguanshan stock was emplaced at the NE–SW-striking Tongguanshan anticline and is characterized by macroscopically homogeneous quartz–monzodiorite. The magnetic parameters show that the stock is dominated by oblate magnetic ellipsoids and a high degree of anisotropy (> 1.1), and this value is higher at the stock margin. The strike of magnetic foliation at the stock margin is parallel to the stock boundary with sub-horizontal magnetic lineations. A vertical NE–SW-striking magnetic foliation, which is parallel to the regional structures, is revealed inside the stock. The three-dimensional geometric modelling shows that the stock has a tongue-like geometry and the contact surface in both eastern and western sides dips to the NW, but the western side is steeper. Nevertheless, the orebodies are almost developed at the eastern side. Accordingly, we propose that the Tongguanshan stock was constructed by multiple magma pulses, initiated at the SW part of the stock, and ascended along inherited NE–SW extended fractures in the Tongguanshan anticline. The successive magma pulses either accreted by a unilateral E-wards trend or by bilateral magma accretion, which resulted in a deformation difference in the contact zone and caused uneven orebody development. Our study also shows that the strike, dip angle and curvature situation of contact surface, which affects the water–rock reaction process and distribution of the dilation zone, are important ore-controlling factors.

Granitoid stocks crop out in the Ghahan and Sarbadan areas near Tafresh city, which is situated in the central part of the Urumieh–Dokhtar Magmatic Arc, Iran. The stocks, consisting of porphyritic and sub-granular diorite and granular granodiorite, intruded into Eocene volcano-sedimentary units. Normalized multi-element diagrams indicate that the analysed rocks are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements and depleted in high field strength elements. These geochemical features are typical of subduction-related calc-alkaline arc magmas. The stocks belong to the ferromagnetic and I-type granitoid series. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility provides information about the internal fabric of the granitoids. Susceptibility values range from 5.6 × 10−3 to more than 71.6 × 10−3, averaging 27.9 × 10−3 SI. Relatively low anisotropy values (P%) rarely exceed 10 %. Shape parameters (T) vary between −0.48 and +0.74, averaging + 0.2. Each stock is interpreted to contain a distinct feeder zone in which magnetic lineation plunges steeply (> 60°), suggesting that the magma ascended mainly in a NW–SE conduit and, to a lesser extent, in an E–W direction. Integration of magnetic fabric data, field observations and tectonic setting indicates that the shear zone that was developed between the Indes and Talkhab faults had created an opening into which the Ghahan and Sarbadan stocks were emplaced by way of creating a suitable tensional space for the ascent of magma.

Outcrop-scale structures and magnetic fabric anisotropy of the Bomdila Gneiss (BG) that intruded the Lesser Himalayan Crystallines (LHC) of the Arunachal Lesser Himalaya are studied to understand the BG deformation history and tectonic evolution. Detailed analysis of structures reveals that the LHC have undergone three phases of deformation, D1, D2 and D3. The S2 foliation developed during the second phase of deformation (D2) is the most penetrative planar fabric in the studied rock, which shows a general ENE–WSW strike with moderate NW dip. Mesoscopic evidence of a later phase of deformation (D3) in the BG is lacking. Evidence of D3 deformation in the form of F3 folds is only observed in the adjacent metasedimentary rocks of the LHC. The magnetic foliations recorded from anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis of the BG are mostly striking NW–SE with a moderate dip towards the NE or SW, and magnetic lineation is mostly sub-horizontal and dominantly plunging towards the SE. Our study shows that the magnetic fabric of the BG does not correspond to any visible outcrop-scale mesoscale foliation. However, the magnetic foliation of the BG is parallel to the axial plane of the F3 folds of the adjacent metasedimentary rocks of the LHC. Integration of AMS and outcrop-scale structural analysis helps us envisage the superposed deformation history of the BG. Our study emphasizes the importance of AMS to detect late-stage or feeble deformation events that leave no visible outcrop-scale imprint and are difficult to discern through conventional geological means.

The Galway Granite Complex is unique among the British and Irish Caledonian granitoid terranes, as it records punctuated phases of magmatism from ∼425–380 Ma throughout the latest phase of the Caledonian Orogeny. Remapping of the Omey Pluton, the oldest member of this suite, has constrained the spatial distribution and contact relationships of the pluton's three main facies relative to the nature of the host rock structure. The external contacts of the pluton are mostly concordant to the limbs and hinge of the Connemara Antiform. New AMS data show that a subtle concentric outward dipping foliation is present, and this is interpreted to reflect pluton inflation during continued magma ingress. Combined field, petrographic and AMS data show that two sets of shear zones (NNW–SSE and ENE–WSW) cross-cut the concentric foliation, and that these structures were active during the construction of the pluton. We show that regional sinistral transpression at ∼420 Ma would have caused dilation along the intersection of these two fault sets, and suggest that this facilitated centralised magma ascent. Lateral emplacement was controlled by the symmetry of the Connemara Antiform to ultimately produce a discordant phacolith. We propose that regional sinistral transpression at ∼420 Ma influenced the siting of smaller intrusions over NNW–SSE faults, and that the later onset of regional transtension caused larger volumes of magma to intrude along the E–W Skird Rocks Fault at ∼400 Ma.

The Santa Eulália Plutonic Complex (SEPC), located in the Ossa Morena Zone (south Portugal), is composed of a medium- to coarse-grained pink granite (G0-type) and a central grey medium-grained biotite granite (G1-type). Available Rb–Sr data indicates an age of 290 Ma. An emplacement model for the SEPC is proposed, taking into account magnetic fabric, 2D gravity modelling and fluid inclusion planes studies. The G0 and G1 types demonstrate different magnetic behaviour: G0 is considered a magnetite-type granite and G1 is an ilmenite-type granite. The formation of G0 required oxidized conditions related to the interaction of mafic rocks with a felsic magma. The 2D gravity modelling and subvertical magnetic lineations show that the feeder zone of the SEPC is located in the eastern part of the pluton, confirming the role of the Assumar and Messejana Variscan faults in the process of ascent and emplacement. The magma emplacement was controlled by ENE–WSW planar anisotropies related to the final brittle stages of the Variscan Orogeny. The emplacement of the two granites was almost synchronous as shown by their gradational contacts in the field. The magnetic fabric however suggests emplacement of the G0-type first, closely followed by emplacement of the G1-type, pushing the G0 laterally which becomes more anisotropic towards the margin. The G1-type became flattened, acquiring a dome-like structure. The SEPC is a nested pluton with G0-type granite assuming a tabular flat shape and G1-type forming a rooted dome-like structure. After emplacement, SEPC recorded increments of the late Variscan stress field documented by fluid inclusion planes in quartz.

Quartzites tend to be compositionally homogeneous, and because of this, deformation related fabric elements (foliations and lineations) are poorly developed in them. This makes structural analysis of deformed quartzites challenging. The measurement of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) is useful for recognizing structural imprints in rocks that lack mesoscopic fabrics and the present study is carried out with an aim to demonstrate the robustness of AMS in analysing such deformation imprints in quartzites. AMS data of samples from folded quartzites located in an approximately 10 km2 area around Galudih (eastern India) are presented. Although on a regional scale, superposed deformation and ductile shearing are known from the area, the investigated quartzites do not preserve mesoscopic evidence of these large-scale features and have developed folds that plunge gently towards the SE with a vertical NW–SE-striking axial plane. The magnetic foliation recorded from AMS analysis is parallel to the axial plane, while the orientation of the magnetic lineation varies from SE through vertical to NW. This is similar to the large-scale fold axis variations recorded in various regional domains mapped over an area of about 200 km2. It is concluded that although the imprint of regional superposed deformation is not obvious on the mesoscopic scale in the quartzites around Galudih, this imprint can be detected from the magnetic fabric. The present study thus highlights the usefulness of AMS in analysing superposed folds in quartzites.

Field, microstructural and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) data from the Palaeozoic Mandi-Karsog pluton in the Lesser Himalayan region reveal a concordant relationship between fabric of the Proterozoic host rock and the granite. The pluton displays a prominent arcuate shape on the geological map. The margin-parallel mesoscopic and magnetic fabrics of the granite and warping of the host rock fabric around the pluton indicate that this regional curvature is either synchronous or pre-dates the emplacement of the granite body. Mesoscopic fabric, magnetic fabric and microstructures indicate that the northern part of the pluton preserves its pre-Himalayan magmatic fabric while the central and southern part shows tectonic fabric related to the Tertiary Himalayan orogeny. The presence of NW–SE-trending aplitic veins within the granite indicates a post-emplacement stretching in the NE–SW direction. Shear-sense indicators in the mylonites along the margin of the pluton suggest top-to-the-SW shearing related to the Himalayan orogeny. Based on these observations, it is envisaged that the extension that gave rise to this rift-related magmatism had a NE–SW trend, that is, normal to the trend of the aplite veins. Subsequently, during the Himalayan orogeny, compression occurred along this same NE–SW orientation. These findings imply that the regional curvature present in the Himachal Lesser Himalaya is in fact a pre-Himalayan feature and the pluton has formed by filling a major pre-Himalayan arcuate extension fracture.

The 532±5 Ma old Carion pluton is a dark, porphyritic ferro-potassic granitoid emplaced near the late Pan-African Angavo mega-shear zone. A rough normal zoning from tonalitic to granitic compositions can be recognised in the field. Steep magmatic foliations are evidenced by K-feldspar megacryst preferred orientations. Microstructures are either magmatic or typical of incipient solid-state deformation in near solidus conditions. Magnetic susceptibility magnitudes (K) range from 11 to 111×10−3 SI in the pluton and can be correlated to the petrography (highest K values in the tonalites; lowest K in the granites; granodiorites in between). The susceptibility magnitudes display a complex zoning pattern. Combined with the arrangement of magnetic foliation trajectories, it is possible to delineate four nested sub-units, regarded as four magmatic pulses successively emplaced from the west to the east of the pluton. The four pulses are characterised by very similar magma geochemistry, but variable magmatic differentiation. The highest degrees of magnetic susceptibility anisotropies (up to 1·6) are observed along internal contacts between sub-units and along the borders of the pluton. The magnetic lineations are also steeply plunging in some places in each sub-unit, possibly imaging the different feeder zones. Magma emplacement occurred at the end of the activity of the Angavo shear zone, hence avoiding re-orientation of the magmatic structures by the late Pan-African transcurrent tectonics. The diachronicity of the four magmatic pulses is consistent with previously determined palaeomagnetic data, because only the two older sub-units display a magnetic reversal sequence, whereas the two youngest sub-units lack any reversion. Emplacement of these four magmatic batches was responsible for a strain aureole and suggests a diapiric mode of ascent.

The Western Granite is the largest of several granitic bodies around the margin of the Rum Central Igneous Complex. We report palaeomagnetic and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) data that bear on the emplacement and deformation of the Western Granite. The collection includes samples from 27 sites throughout the Western Granite, five sites in adjacent feldspathic peridotite, and two sites in intermediate to mafic hybrid contact aureole rocks. Palaeomagnetic data from 22 of the 27 sites in the granite provide an in situ group mean D = 213.2°, I = −69.5°, α95 = 5.5° that is discordant to an early Paleocene reverse polarity expected field (about 184°, −66°, α95 = 4.3°). The discrepancy is eliminated by removing an inferred 15° of northwest-side-down tilting about a best fit horizontal tilt axis trending 040°. Data from the younger peridotite and hybrid rocks of the Rum Layered Suite provide an in situ group mean of D = 182.6°, I = −64.8°, α95 = 4.0°, which is statistically indistinguishable from an early Paleocene expected field, and imply no post-emplacement tilting of these rocks since remanence acquisition. The inferred tilt recorded in the Western Granite, which did not affect the younger Layered Suite, suggests that emplacement of the ultrabasic rocks resulted in roof uplift and associated tilt of the Western Granite to make space for mafic magma emplacement. Magnetic fabric magnitude and susceptibility parameters yield two subtle groupings in the Western Granite AMS data set. Group 1 data, defined by rocks from exposures to the east and south, have comparatively high bulk susceptibilities (Kmean, 29.51 × 10−3 in SI system), stronger anisotropies (Pj, 1.031) and oblate susceptibility ellipsoids. Group 2 data, from rocks in the west part of the pluton, have lower values of Kmean (15.89 × 10−3 SI) and Pj (1.014), and triaxial susceptibility ellipsoids. Magnetic lineations argue for emplacement of the granite as a tabular sheet from the south–southeast toward the north and west. Moderate to steeply outward-dipping magnetic foliations, together with deflection of the country rock bedding in the north, are consistent with doming accompanying magma emplacement.