Shape of plutons in crustal shear zones: A tectono-magmatic guide based on analogue models

Plutons in crustal shear zones may exploit inherited structures, interfere with strain localizing or be deformed
passively. To constrain the relative timing of such tectono-magmatic relationships in natural settings is not always
straight-forward. We here present sandbox-type analogue model experiments simulating magma
emplacement into simple and transtensional crustal shear zones to test the diagnostic potential of pluton shape
with respect to timing and setting. Observations based on surface deformation and intrusion shape exemplify the
interplay between evolving and inherited tectonic structures and magma uprising. We observe markedly
asymmetric intrusions in association with dikes reflecting the regional stresses, fault pattern and finite strain
field. At the same time, the presence of an intrusion modifies the tectonic evolution, but only transiently,
resulting in short-lived faults, reactivation and inversion. Diagnostic attributes include the pluton’s aspect ratio,
its orientation and amplitude as well as dike association. Accordingly, syn-tectonic intrusions show the highest
pluton amplitudes, but only intermediate elongation compared to other scenarios. They are oriented parallel to
Riedel shears in simple shear, respectively to the compression direction in transtension. Post-tectonic intrusions
are least elongated, have medium amplitudes and exploit Riedel shears. Pre-tectonic intrusions are characterized
by lowest amplitudes but the highest aspect ratios and are parallel to the finite elongation direction. Intrusions in
transtensional shear zones are generally of less elongate than those in simple shear zones. Experimental results
are tested against observations from natural examples validating the diagnostic potential of pluton shape for the
timing and the tectonic setting of the emplacement.