[1][2] Stoping is an important emplacement mechanism in a variety of tectonic settings and has been widely used to explain discordant pluton contacts.
Experimental work done on rocks has helped with establishing a relationship between the rheology and deformation mechanisms on magma.
Magmatic fabrics will not record information of the stoping process as they are only formed near the end of the pluton emplacement.
Another drawback of stoping is it cools too rapidly and occurs too slowly for low density crustal rocks.
There is also not a lot of evidence for forceful lateral emplacement with sufficient strain to make room for the ascending pluton.
[7][8] Ballooning is an emplacement mechanism used to describe the in situ inflation of the magma chamber of roughly spherical plutons.
Diapirism occurs when a hot fluid mass of magma moves by softening a thin region of wall rock nearest to the body.
A viable method proposed to make room from ascending magma is a zone of lateral extension which can be found at mid ocean ridges, strike slip faults and dilational jogs (areas of tension along a fault offset).