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Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) is regularly applied as a tool to infer structural analysis of deformation and flow in rocks, particularly, with low anisotropy. AMS integrates the magnetic signature of crystallographic and shape preferred orientation of all mineral grains present in the rock microstructure. Those preferred orientations result from multiple processes affecting the rock during its evolution, therefore the desirable AMS-strain relationship is not straightforward. Here we show that due to localization of deformation, AMS is indirectly dependent on the magnitude and character of deformation. In order to decipher the AMS-strain relationship, AMS studies should be accompanied by microstructural analyses combined with numerical modelling of magnetic fabric. A small-scale shear zone produced by single deformation event was studied. The resultant AMS fabric is “inverse” due to the presence of Fe-dolomite and controlled by calcite and dolomite crystallographic preferred orientations. The localized deformation resulted in the angular deviation between macroscopic and magnetic fabric in the shear zone, systematically increasing with increasing strain. This is a result of the presence of microstructural subfabrics of coarse porphyroclasts and fine-grained recrystallized matrix produced by localization.The localization of deformation is a multiscale and widespread process that should be considered whenever interpreting AMS in deformed rocks and regions.

Understanding of the processes of magmatic fabric formation in crystal‐rich magmas and their reflection in rock magnetic properties are important for understanding pluton formation and intrusion mechanisms. On the example of small concentrically zoned Castle Crags pluton in the Klamath Mountains (CA, USA) we provide reconstruction of the flow/deformation mechanisms of the crystal‐rich magma and pluton growth based on detailed structural mapping and microstructural analysis employing the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, microstructural analysis, and crystallographic preferred orientation. Our study reveal microstructural evidence for progressive development of magmatic textures in the pluton core transitioning to submagmatic and eventually subsolidus fabric at the pluton periphery, that is interpreted in terms of the flow/deformation of the crystal mush. The documented magmatic textures are linked to anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility parameters and orientation. The recorded anomalous degree of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility found in the pluton is attributed to tiling and plastic deformation of magnetite grains by the surrounding phenocrysts. The concentric structure of the pluton resulted from horizontal compaction and margin parallel stretching of the dense crystal mush around the vertically intruding trondhjemite magma in the pluton core. The Castle Crags pluton is interpreted as a concentrically expanded pluton, which grew at least by two increments of granodiorite and trondhjemite magma emplacement.

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