Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3504
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3504
05 Dec 2024
 | 05 Dec 2024

Models of buoyancy-driven dykes using continuum plasticity and fracture mechanics: a comparison

Yuan Li, Timothy Davis, Adina E. Pusok, and Richard F. Katz

Abstract. Magmatic dykes are thought to play an important role in the thermomechanics of tectonic rifting of the lithosphere. Our understanding of this role is limited by the lack of models that consistently capture the interaction between magmatism, including dyking, and tectonic deformation. While linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) has provided a basis for understanding the mechanics of dykes, it is difficult to consistently incorporate LEFM into geodynamic models. Here we further develop a continuum theory that represents dykes as plastic tensile failure in a two-phase, Stokes–Darcy model with a poro- viscoelastic–viscoplastic (poro-VEVP) rheological law (Li et al., 2023). We validate this approach by making quantitative comparison with LEFM, enabled by a novel poro-LEFM formulation. The comparison shows that dykes in our continuum theory propagate slowly—a consequence of Darcian drag on the magma. Moreover, dissipation of mechanical energy in the poro-VEVP model implies a high critical stress intensity in LEFM. We improve the poro-VEVP model by reformulating the compaction stress and incorporating anisotropic permeability in regions of plastic failure.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

23 Sep 2025
Models of buoyancy-driven dykes using continuum plasticity or fracture mechanics: a comparison
Yuan Li, Timothy Davis, Adina E. Pusok, and Richard F. Katz
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 6219–6238, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-6219-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-6219-2025, 2025
Short summary
Yuan Li, Timothy Davis, Adina E. Pusok, and Richard F. Katz

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3504', Giacomo Medici, 11 Dec 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on CC1', Yuan Li, 13 Jan 2025
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3504', Anonymous Referee #1, 27 Jan 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3504', Anonymous Referee #2, 07 Feb 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3504', Giacomo Medici, 11 Dec 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on CC1', Yuan Li, 13 Jan 2025
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3504', Anonymous Referee #1, 27 Jan 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3504', Anonymous Referee #2, 07 Feb 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Yuan Li on behalf of the Authors (25 Mar 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
EF by Katja Gänger (26 Mar 2025)  Supplement 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (11 Apr 2025) by Ludovic Räss
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (07 May 2025)
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (20 May 2025) by Ludovic Räss
AR by Yuan Li on behalf of the Authors (20 Jun 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (03 Jul 2025) by Ludovic Räss
AR by Yuan Li on behalf of the Authors (03 Jul 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (08 Jul 2025) by Ludovic Räss
AR by Yuan Li on behalf of the Authors (09 Jul 2025)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

23 Sep 2025
Models of buoyancy-driven dykes using continuum plasticity or fracture mechanics: a comparison
Yuan Li, Timothy Davis, Adina E. Pusok, and Richard F. Katz
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 6219–6238, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-6219-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-6219-2025, 2025
Short summary
Yuan Li, Timothy Davis, Adina E. Pusok, and Richard F. Katz
Yuan Li, Timothy Davis, Adina E. Pusok, and Richard F. Katz

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
Magmatic dykes transport magma to the Earth's surface, sometimes causing eruptions. We advanced a model of dyking, treating it as plastic deformation in a porous medium, unlike the classic model that treats dykes as fractures in elastic solids. Comparing the two, we found the plastic model aligns with the fracture model in dyke speed and energy consumption, despite quantitative differences. This new method could be a powerful tool for understanding volcanic processes during tectonic activity.
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