Particle simulation of spontaneous crack generation associated with the laccolithic type of magma intrusion processes

The main purpose of this paper is to extend the particle simulation method for simulating the spontaneous crack generation problem associated with the laccolithic type of magma intrusion and emplacement within the crust of the Earth. As the mechanical behavior of the intruded magma is different from that of its surrounding rocks, the intruded magma is simulated using fluid particles of relatively less compressibility, whereas the surrounding rock of the intruded magma is simulated using conventional solid particles. Using the proposed particle simulation method, it is possible to simulate some magma-intrusion-induced important phenomena, such as hydraulic fracturing associated with the creation of a magma chamber, complicated moving boundaries associated with the growing magma chamber and spontaneous crack initiation in the surrounding rocks when magma pressure is propagating from the magma chamber into the surrounding rocks. The related particle simulation results have demonstrated that (1) the proposed particle simulation method is useful and applicable for simulating spontaneous crack generation problems associated with the laccolithic type of magma intrusion process within the crust of the Earth; (2) the generated cracks are highly concentrated on the narrow region that is just above the intruded magma chamber; and (3) the layer-stiffness ratio has a significant effect on the spontaneously generated crack patterns within the upper crust of the Earth.