Determination of horizontal extension from fissure-ridge travertines: a case study from the Denizli Basin,southwestern Turkey

Travertine deposits reflect some aspects of the regional tectonics because of the close association between travertine deposits and active fractures, that later of which provide conduits along which travertine-depositing waters may rise. Fissure-ridge travertines form above extensional fissures which are located in the hanging walls of normal faults, in step-over zones between fault segments, or in active or recently active) volcanic provinces. Numerous active and inactive fissure-ridge travertines are located in the hanging walls of normal faults in the Denizli Basin. A typical fissure-ridge comprises a central fissure along its long axis and flanking bedded travertines dipping away from the fissure. Central fissures of travertine ridges have been dilating since the initiation of the fissures. Samples from both the margins and centres of banded travertine deposits were dated by Th/U methods in order to determine dilation rates. Individual fissures have been dilating at average rates of between 0.008 and 0.1 mm yr^–1 during travertine deposition, and ~ 0.001 and 0.007 mm yr^–1 after cessation of travertine deposition. There is a noticable decrease in dilation rate from west to east in the Denizli Basin, and this decrease in dilation rate may be related to decrease in overall extension in southwest Turkey, which decreases eastward.     

Structural Attributes of Travertine-Filled Extensional Fissures in the Pamukkale Plateau,Western Turkey

Numerous active and inactive fissure-ridge travertines are located in the hanging wall of the Pamukkale range-front fault, a large normal fault bounding the northeast side of the Denizli Basin. A typical principal fissure-ridge comprises flanking bedded travertines dipping gently away from a nearly vertical, irregular central fissure, partially filled by vertically banded travertine. More complex ridges bear parasitic fissures and associated ridges on their flanks. Fissures roughly follow the long axes of ridge crests, some of them being divided into angular segments and others anastomosing. The traces of fissures are commonly parallel but some are oblique to one another. Fissures vary in width from a few millimeters to 5 m, and range in length from a few meters to a few kilometers.

The widths of central fissures are at a maximum near the midpoints of ridges, but decrease toward both ends, suggesting that they grew in length over time. Lateral fissure development involved the opening of both new and old cracks, some of which propagated into former process zones at crack tips. Fissures increase in width with depth either gradually or in a series of steps, depending on whether there was a uniform rate of fissure dilation during travertine deposition or episodic dilation during fracture propagation. The characteristic irregular morphology of fractures probably reflects extension-fracture propagation in differential stress fields that were weak as a consequence of location near the earth's surface. The fissures probably express a set of subsidiary extension fractures splaying from the Pamukkale range-front fault into its hanging wall.     

U/Th dating of the travertine deposited at transfer zone between two normal faults and their neotectonic significance: Cambazli fissure ridge travertines (the Gediz Graben-Turkey)

Abstract

The neotectonic characteristics of the travertines that outcrop near Cambazli Village to the west of the Gediz Graben in the Western Anatolia and the age determination of the travertine were carried out using the ²³⁰Th/^234,238U disequilibrium method. The Cambazli fissure ridge travertines represent the travertine depositions that develop at a transfer zone. The extent of these travertines is at NW-SE and NE-SW orientations and the ridge crest-trend of these travertines range between approximately 55° and 82° and they are located at an intersecting position. The evaluation of the fissure ridge travertine directions indicated that the compression stress that was responsible for the deposition of the Cambazli travertine was determined to be in the N-S orientation and the extensional stress was determined to be in the E-W orientation. The orientation of the dominant extension in Western Anatolia during the neotectonic period was N-S and this orientation is not in accordance with the directions of stress for the travertines. This situation indicates that the travertines were deposited along a transfer zone in N10W orientation between two normal faults. The travertines were determined to be active since the Upper Pleistocene as indicated by the age determination conducted using the ²³⁰Th/^234,238U disequilibrium method. The dilation rate of the travertines during dilation and the post-dilation period and the average dilation rate of the Cambazli travertines to the north of the Gediz Graben were calculated as 0.01–0.02 mm yr^?1 during deposition and as 0.05 mm yr^?1 during the post-dilation period. These dilation rates indicate lower tectonic activity along the northern ridge of the Gediz Graben than along the southern ridge.

© 2011 Lavoisier SAS. All rights reserved     

U/Th dating of fissure ridge travertines from the Kirsehir region (Central Anatolia Turkey): structural relations and implications for the Neotectonic development of the Anatolian block

Travertines exposed in several locations in Central Anatolia are the important lithological product for the interpretation of local neotectonics. The fissure-type travertines provide significant information about stress orientation during deposition. Two travertine masses cropping out in the Kirsehir region have been studied and dated by the U-series method to obtain new chronological constraints, determine dilation rates and contribute to studies on the recent tectonic evolution of the area. The Kusdili and Kayabasi travertine masses are located on the hanging wall of the Kirsehir Fault, similar to numerous fissure ridge banded travertine deposits which are inactive today in the region. While individual fissures of the Kusdili travertine mass (Late Pleistocene-Holocene) have been dilated at rates of between 0.303 and 0.386 mm yr–1 during deposition, the Kayabasi travertine mass (Late Pleistocene) produced measured dilation rates of between 0.136 and 0.187 mm yr–1. The central fissures, filled by banded travertine, roughly follow the ridge crests. While the ridge crest has a NNE-SSW trend in the Kayabasi travertine mass, the ridge crest of the Kusdili travertine mass shows a NE-SW trend. This difference may be related to the clockwise rotation of the stress tensors from Late Pleistocene to Late Pleistocene-Holocene in the region.     

Travertine deposition and faulting: the fault-related travertine fissure-ridge at Terme S. Giovanni,Rapolano Terme (Italy)

In this paper we describe an example of travertine fissure-ridge development along the trace of a normal fault with metre displacement, located in the eastern margin of the Neogene–Quaternary Siena Basin, in the Terme S. Giovanni area (Rapolano Terme, Italy). This morphotectonic feature, 250 m long, 30 m wide and 10 m high, formed from supersaturated hot waters (39.9°C) flowing from thermal springs aligned along the trace of the normal fault dissecting travertines not older than Late Pleistocene (24 ± 3 ka). A straight, continuous fissure with a maximum width of 20 cm occurs at the top of the ridge, along its crest. Hot fluids flow from cones mainly located at the extremities of the ridge, where travertine is depositing. The travertine fissure-ridge shows an asymmetrical profile since it buries the fault scarp. The difference in height of slopes corresponds to the vertical displacement of the normal fault. Fissuring of the recent travertine deposits along the strike of the crestal fissure, as well as recent hydrothermal circulation, lead us to believe that the Terme S. Giovanni normal fault may be currently active. On the whole, the Terme S. Giovanni fissure ridge can be defined as a travertine fault trace fissure-ridge, adding a helpful example for studying the relationship between faulting and travertine deposition.     

Evolution of Pleistocene travertine depositional system from terraced slope to fissure-ridge in a mixed travertine-alluvial succession (Jebel El Mida,Gafsa, southern Tunisia)

The Quaternary stratigraphic record of Jebel El Mida, composed of continental deposits, is a useful example of concomitant travertines and alluvial deposition in an extensional setting. Travertine deposition occurred in a faulted Pleistocene alluvial fan giving rise to seven (recognised) facies interfingering with five other alluvial ones. The travertine depositional events indicate a tectonically driven evolution from terraced slope (facies group FC1–FC6) to a travertine fissure ridge-type depositing phase (facies group of FC1–FC7). Interfingering between travertine and alluvial facies indicates the co-existence of adjacent and time-equivalent depositional environments. The travertine deposition resulted from deep origin hydrothermal fluids channelled along damaged rocks volumes associated to a regional fault system, named as the Gafsa Fault (GF). The travertine–terrigenous succession in Jebel El Mida highlights the major role played by the GF in controlling: (i) the hydrothermal fluid flow, still active as also indicated by the numerous thermal springs aligned along the fault zone; (ii) paleoflow directions, discharge locations, volume, rate and fluctuations of the water supply. The paleoclimatic correlation with adjacent localities reveals that, at that time, humid episodes could have contributed to the recharge of the hydrothermal system and to the deposition of alluvial sediments.     

Active tectonics of the Ortaköy fissure-ridge-type travertines: implications for the Quaternary stress state of the neotectonic structures of the Central Anatolia,Turkey

Several geothermal fields are located in a NE-SW trend along a structural lineament around the Sivas basin; one of those is the Ortaköy travertines situated 83?km south-west of Sivas. There are eight fissure-ridge-type travertine localities in the area, although eroded-sheet-type travertines constitute many of the travertines of the region. By evaluating the rocks of the Late Miocene-Early Pliocene K?z?l?rmak Formation, it was determined that fissure axes developed within fissure-ridge-type travertines, and that the structural elements obtained from satellite images together with the fissures that form the fissure-ridge-type travertines are shear and tension fissures, and the NE-SW-oriented opening of the fissures, were a result of NW-SE-directed compression, which was also responsible for the formation of the Sivas Backthrust. Ground-penetrating radar studies have shown that the thickness of fissure fills within the fissure-ridge-type travertines of the Ortaköy geothermal field increase with depth, and that the hydrothermal fluids which brought about the formation of the travertines moved surfaceward via fissure systems. The results of U/Th radiometric dating indicate that the youngest travertine in the region is 17,761 (_?268/⁺²⁶⁹) years old and the oldest 128,286 (_?3537/⁺³⁶⁶²) years old. Using the widths of banded travertines within the fissure-ridge-type travertines as well as these age results, the opening rate of the Sivas Basin was determined to be .06 (_?.01/^+.05) mm/year.     

Rapid facies changes in Holocene fissure ridge hot spring travertines, Rapolano Terme, Italy

Holocene hot water travertine continues to form at Terme San Giovanni, near Rapolano Terme, central Italy, although artificial diversion of the water has reduced deposition. Mesothermal water (≈38–39 °C) emerging from fault-controlled vents located on a hilltop has created a linear fissure ridge 240 m long and up to 10 m high. Active parts of the ridge crest are covered by small cones; inactive parts are locally neotectonically fissured and have small pools. Ridge deposits include crystalline crust, paper-thin raft and shrub lithotypes. The ridge has both smooth and terraced marginal slopes, dominated by crystalline crusts with small shrubs in terrace pools. At the base of the ridge, there is a rapid transition to lateral flats and depressions, where water from the ridge collects and deposits shrub, irregular pisoid, reed, paper-thin raft and fine-grained and organic-rich travertines. Water channelled to nearby valley sides deposits thick crystalline crusts on valley slopes and waterfall overhangs, locally with small pools filled by smooth spherical pisoids. On the valley floor, mixing of waters forms varied stream-fill deposits that include micritic reed, paper-thin raft and coated bubble travertines. The diversity of travertine facies observed results from the location of the Terme San Giovanni hot springs on a hill crest, thus providing a wide array of downslope locations for further deposition. The abrupt facies transitions observed are characteristic of hot spring carbonates and result from a combination of rapid decrease in precipitation away from vents, variations in local surface topography and the feedback effect of travertine deposition itself, which dams and diverts water flow.     

温泉钙华沉积的影响因素

钙华是在泉水、河水、湖水、洞穴周围沉积的非海相碳酸钙沉积物。钙华是陆地水循环过程中物质迁移的一种表现形式,研究钙华的形成有助于了解局部水文循环中的物质迁移规律并间接了解古气候与古水文地质条件。部分温泉的泉口附近沉积有形态多样的钙华。本文综述温泉钙华的形成过程、钙华沉积的主要影响因素和它们之间的相互影响关系。水化学条件是钙华沉积的物质基础和必要条件,水动力条件是钙华沉积的充分条件,生物效应对钙华沉积起到加强的作用,沉积环境通过影响水化学条件或水动力条件间接控制钙华的沉积。     

钙华的形成环境与特征及在油气储集方向的探讨

钙华是一种特殊的化学或生物化学沉积,它们在大陆内部广泛地分布且含有重要的地质信息,是一种特殊的油气储集体。影响钙华沉积的因素复杂多样,在调研钙华的形成过程及分类的基础上,从气候环境、水文地质条件、水体物理化学条件、生物活动及构造活动五个方面讨论钙华形成的控制因素;并从沉积环境与模式、沉积速率等方面将新疆塔北地区的钙华与国外钙华沉积体进行类比,发现塔北钙华沉积体在温暖湿润的环境下表现出良好的季节性分层,五道班地区钙华在沉积时汇入了大量的陆源碎屑,受生物活动影响较大;硫磺沟地区的钙华沉积则是伴随断裂活动所形成热液上涌的产物。通过对比发现,塔北露头缝洞内充填的钙华内部孔隙发达、连通性较好,并有良好的含油显示,故钙华具备一定的储集能力。     

Evolution of Çamlık fissure-ridge travertines in the Başkale basin (Van,Eastern Anatolia)

Fissure-ridge travertines (FRTs) are of great importance for the determination and comparison of tectonic deformation in a region. The coeval development of these travertines with active fault zones supplies significant information about regional dynamics in terms of deformation pattern and evolution. In this paper, the characteristics of FRTs of the Ba?kale basin (eastern Turkey) and responsible regional tectonism are discussed for the first time. The Ba?kale basin is located between the Ba?kale Fault Zone (BFZ) characterised by Çaml?k fault and I??kl?–Zirani? fault. It is located between dextral Yüksekova Fault Zone and southern end of dextral Guilato–Siahcheshmeh–Khoy Fault system (Iran). Various morphological features indicating recent activity are exposed along the BFZ, including offsetting rivers, fissure-ridge travertine and fault scarps. The Çaml?k fissure-ridge travertine composing of three different depositions is observed along the eastern edge of the BFZ with approximately parallel orientations. The Çaml?k fissure-ridge travertine has been formed and developed on fault zone related to strike-slip or oblique movements. We explain how kinematic changes of faults can influence the fissure-ridge development.     

Hot-spring travertine facies and sequences, Late Pleistocene, Rapolano Terme, Italy

Late Pleistocene travertines up to 40 m thick near Rapolano Terme in Tuscany, central Italy, were precipitated by hot water issuing from springs on hillsides and flowing into adjacent depressions to mix with rainwater. Proximal light-coloured slope and terrace travertines pass distally into darker reed mound and depression-fill travertines. Lithotypes include crystalline crust, shrub, pisoid, paper-thin raft, coated bubble, reed, and lithoclast-breccia. High precipitation rates resulted in rapid slope aggradation and progradation. Dilution by rainwater likely lowered precipitation rates in depressions, but deposition was augmented by allochthonous material eroded from upslope travertines. Slope Depositional Systems consist of Smooth and Terrace Slope facies characterized by white crystalline crusts, with diverse additional lithotypes in terrace pools. Depression Depositional Systems have mixed light and dark travertines with horizontal to gently concave stratification. Extensive light-coloured Shrub Flat travertine is dominant; darker Marsh-Pool Facies composed of fine lithoclast and reed travertine is localized. Reed Mounds composed of mixed light and dark travertines localized by abundant reed growth, formed where spring water emerged near the bases of low angle slopes. Distal reduction in accretion rate was the major influence on sequence development. Light-coloured slope travertines interdigitate with darker depression deposits. Vertical aggradation of slope deposits, mound progradation, and filling of topographic depressions is expressed by advance and retreat of facies. Evolution from depression to slope or mound sequences is termed ‘steepening up’. Up-sequence change from slope or mound to depression facies is termed ‘levelling up’. Exposure surfaces associated with palaeosols are common in all facies and often constitute sequence boundaries. They are more closely spaced in depression sequences, reflecting slower and possibly also more discontinuous accumulation at sites furthest from hot springs.     

钙华生物沉积作用研究进展与展望

弄清钙华生物沉积作用有助于更好地理解钙华微岩相结构和地球化学特征的气候环境指示意义。总结和综述了与钙华沉积相关的生物群落、生物成因钙华微岩相结构、钙华生物沉积作用过程及其对钙华地球化学特征影响的研究进展,并展望了未来的研究重点。细菌、藻类和苔藓等广泛参与到钙华沉积中,形成了许多不同类型的孔隙结构、晶体结构和纹层结构。生物沉积过程主要包括:①生物生长扰动水流使得CO2逸出;②代谢作用(如光合作用)过程诱导碳酸钙沉积;③"表面控制"过程影响晶体成核及生长。生物沉积作用驱动了元素的迁移转化,对沉积水体和钙华地球化学特征具有重要影响。钙华在地球生物学研究中具有重要潜力,未来需要加强现代钙华沉积中的物理化学和生物过程相互作用机制及其各自贡献的量化研究,以便准确地解译钙华沉积记录。     

陆地热泉钙华研究进展与展望

陆地热泉钙华是沉淀于富Ca2+和HCO₃-热泉（普遍T≥30℃）的陆地碳酸盐沉积物/岩。热泉钙华独特的形成环境、岩石矿物学特征、地球化学特征和流体性质对古环境、古气候、早期生命起源、新构造运动、陆相热水沉积学、地热资源等方面研究具有重要指示意义。尽管相关学者对陆地热泉钙华开展了相关研究,但由于热泉钙华沉积-成岩过程中受复杂外界条件控制,其时空分布、沉积特征、矿物组成、地球化学特征、微生物作用、流体来源、成岩作用、古气候记录等系列科学问题有待深入研究。在国内外大量文献的基础上,结合研究团队对云南腾冲火山地热区热泉钙华的认识,综述了目前国内外学者对陆地热泉钙华的研究进展,总结了热泉钙华研究意义,提出了当前热泉钙华研究存在的问题及下步研究方向,为更加全面地认识陆地热泉钙华沉积及未来研究提供启示。     

Depositional system and palaeoclimatic interpretations of Middle to Late Pleistocene travertines: Kocabaş, Denizli,south‐west Turkey

Travertine deposits in western Turkey are very well‐exposed in the area of Kocaba?, in the eastern part of the Denizli Basin. The palaeoclimatic significance of these travertines is discussed using U/Th dates, stable isotope data and palynological evidence. The Kocaba? travertine occurrences are characterized by successions of depositional terraces associated with palaeosols and karstic features. The travertines have been classified into eight lithotypes and one erosional horizon, namely: laminated, coated bubble, reed, paper‐thin raft, intraclasts, micritic travertine with gastropods, extra‐formational pebbles and a palaeosol layer. The analysed travertines mostly formed between 181 ka and 80 ka (Middle to Late Pleistocene) during a series of climatic changes including glacial and interglacial intervals; their δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values indicate that the depositional waters were mainly of basinal thermal origin, occasionally mixed with surficial meteoric water. Palynological results obtained from the palaeosols showed an abundance of non‐arboreal percentage and xerophytic plants (Oleaceae and Quercus evergreen type) indicating that a drought occurred. Marine Isotope Stage 6 is represented by grassland species but Marine Isotope Stage 5 is represented by Pinaceae–Pinus and Abies, Quercus and Oleaceae. Uranium/thorium analyses of the Kocaba? travertines show that deposition began in Marine Isotope Stage 6 (glacial) and continued to Marine Isotope Stage 4 (glacial), but mostly occurred in Marine Isotope Stage 5 (interglacial). The travertine deposition continued to ca 80 ka in the south‐west of the study area, in one particular depression depositional system. Palaeoenvironmental indicators suggest that the travertine depositional evolution was probably controlled by fault‐related movements that influenced groundwater flow. Good correlation of the stable isotope values and dates of deposition of the travertines and palynological data of palaeosols in the Kocaba? travertines serve as a starting point for further palaeoclimate studies in south‐west Turkey. Additionally, the study can be compared with other regional palaeoclimate archives.     

Geochemical mechanisms of travertine formation from fresh waters in southern Siberia

The subject of study was the chemical composition of common fresh-water springs precipitating travertines in tectonically passive regions of the Kolyvan'-Tomsk folded area and northwestern Salair. Attention was paid to the specific character of manifestation, mineralogy, and petrography of the produced travertines. Results of the study of isotopic composition of carbon in hydrocarbonate ion of waters and carbonate travertines are reported. It is shown that the genetic type of CO₂ accompanying the formation of travertines is biogenic. Study of the equilibrium of the underground waters with aluminosilicate and carbonate minerals has shown that the travertines are the product of evolution of an equilibrium-nonequilibrium water-rock system. New mechanisms of travertine formation from cool fresh waters are proposed.     

Uranium-Series Ages of Travertines and Timing of the Last Glaciation in the Northern Yellowstone Area, Wyoming-Montana

Uranium-series age determinations by mass spectrometric methods were done for travertines and associated carbonate veins related to clastic deposits of the last glaciation (Pinedale) in the northern Yellowstone area. Dramatic variations in the hydrologic head are inferred from variations in the elevation of travertine deposition with time and are consistent with the expected hydrologic effects of glaciation. We determine the following chronology of the Pinedale Glaciation, with the key assumption that travertine deposits (and associated carbonate veins) perched high above present thermal springs were deposited when glaciers filled the valley below these perched deposits: (1) the early Pinedale outlet glacier advanced well downvalley between 47,000 and 34,000 yr B.P.; (2) the outlet glacier receded to an interstadial position between 34,000 and 30,000 yr B.P.; (3) an extensive Pinedale ice advance occurred between 30,000 and 22,500 yr B.P.; (4) a major recession occurred between 22,500 and 19,500 yr B.P.; (5) a minor readvance (Deckard Flats) culminated after 19,500 yr B.P.; and (6) recession from the Deckard Flats position was completed before 15,500 yr B.P. This chronology is consistent with the general trend of climatic changes in the northern hemisphere as revealed by recent high-resolution ice-core records from the Greenland ice sheet.     

The quaternary travertine deposits of Europe and Asia Minor

A summary is provided of the published information relating to all aspects of Quaternary travertine formation in Europe west of the Ural Mountains. The deposits have been divided into two broad groups, the meteogene travertines, which result primarily from the degassing of soil-borne aqueous CO₂, and thermogene deposits resulting from the degassing of thermally generated CO₂. Meteogene deposits are rare above latitude 58°N, and in regions where the mean annual air temperature is below 5°C. A significant positive correlation exists between mean air temperature and travertine deposit thickness. The combined effects of temperature and rainfall are used to provide a zoned map showing the travertine-forming potential of limestones within the region. Information from ¹⁴C dating indicates that deposition reached a maximum in the period 5–10 ka BP) and is currently limited by land and water management practices in the populated areas. Thermogene deposits occur in regions of high CO₂ discharge resulting from tectonic activity, such as Italy and Turkey where there is much vulcanism. These travertines are frequently more massive and less readily weathered than meteogene deposits. Fully referenced information is provided for 320 important, mostly well studied sites (227 meteogene, 93 thermogene), of which 156 are currently active.