Storage and Transport of Magma in the Layered Crust?Formation of Sills and Related Flat-Lying Intrusions

Abstract

Even though dykes are the main upward magma pathways through the Earth’s crust, the last two decades of research showed that significant parts of volcano plumbing systems consist of flat-lying igneous intrusions, namely sills. Sills form mainly in the layered parts of the crust, principally in volcanic deposits and sedimentary basins. Sills exhibit various shapes, strata-concordant, transgressive sheets, and saucer-shaped. Lateral magma flow through sill complexes and networks can reach several hundred kilometres. Sills represent intermediate feeder structures for volcanic eruptions, and therefore better understanding of sill emplacement and evolution is essential for assessing volcanic hazards. Sills emplaced in sedimentary basins also deeply affect petroleum systems and are essential components in exploring hydrocarbons. Finally, the massive and fast emplacement of sills resulting from LIPs in sedimentary basins triggered catastrophic climate changes and mass extinctions during Earth's history.