Canal Zone Paper - The Laws of Intrusion

The object of this paper is to show how igneous intrusion is governed by definite mechanical laws. A distinction is made between dikes and fissures, and the various characteristics of intrusions are explained on an exact scientific basis. The modification of rock-stresses by intrusion is then considered and extensive isostress regions are recognized. Finally, a complete classification of intrusions is constructed covering all possible cases. The generalizations of observed data, taken from Geikie's Text-Book of Geology, confornl to the laws of intrusion herein stated, and the deductions based upon these lams. No authority, however, is quoted for the type which I hare named a corrugated intrusion. Its existence is a necessary deduction from the laws of intrusion, and even the entire absence of examples in technical publications cannot disprove its reality. In all probability, corrugated fissures would have remained undiscovered, but for the nrorking of mineral veins. As intrusions of tabular form are seldom worked for commercial purposes, it has been left for theory to anticipate the discovery of corrugated dikes. In the light of these laws of intrusion and the corresponding laws of fissures,' there seems to be a remarkable uniformity of stress-distribution in rocks at moderate depths. This renders possible the mathematical calculation which should help us to approximate exact science in this and kindred branches of applied geology.