Dike intrusion and deformation during growth of the Half Dome pluton, Yosemite National Park, California

A detailed analysis of the Half Dome pluton in Yosemite National Park reveals that its growth was driven by multiple intrusive events, characterized by complex internal deformation and dike intrusion. The study identifies at least four ages of dikes, with evidence suggesting dozens of discrete intrusive increments. Synintrusive bulk strain patterns indicate E-W extension and N-S contraction, consistent with Late Cretaceous Cordilleran tectonics, implying that regional tectonic dilation played a significant role in creating space for the pluton's growth. Additionally, narrow shear zones and extreme strains are observed, but late-magmatic to subsolidus recrystallization obscured the pluton's intricate structure and deformation history.

Bartley, J. M., Glazner, A. F., & Coleman, D. S. (2018). Dike intrusion and deformation during growth of the Half Dome pluton, Yosemite National Park, California. Geosphere, 14(3), 1283–1297. https://doi.org/10.1130/ges01458.1