Previous work has shown that hot tearing is the result of differential contraction between the solid and liquid phases during the solidification of the ingot. Most of these studies have been on hot tearing problems in the bulk metal. However, it remains to be demonstrated how the shell region affects the occurrence of hot tearing during solidification of a DC ingot. This work examines that particular area of a DC cast ingot and it addresses aspects of the surface stresses and strains, and the unique microstructural features of the shell region.