Late Pleistocene Tendürek Volcano (Eastern Anatolia,Turkey): I. Geochronology and petrographic characteristics of igneous rocks

The series of two papers presents a comprehensive isotope-geochronological and petrological-geochemical study of the Late Quaternary Tendürek Volcano (Eastern Turkey), one of the greatest volcanoes within the Caucasian—Eastern Anatolian segment of the Alpine foldbelt. The first article discusses the results of chronostratigraphic reconstruction and provides the main petrographic characteristics of the Tendürek’s igneous rocks. The K-Ar dating results show that the magmatic activity of the Tendürek Volcano developed in the Late Pleistocene time, over the period of the last 250 thousand years. Five discrete phases (I—250–200 ka, II—200–150 ka, III—150–100 ka, IV—100–70 ka, and V—<50 ka) of the youngest magmatism were identified in this study. The first two phases were represented by the fissure eruptions of alkaline basic lavas and subsequent formation of vast lava plateaus, the Çald?ran and Do?ubeyaz?t plains. In the following phases, the intermediate and moderately-acid volcanic rocks of mildly-alkaline or alkaline series started to dominate among the eruption products. According to their petrographic characteristics, the rocks of Tendürek Volcano are assigned to the alkaline association with Na-specifics (hawaiites-mugearites-benmoreites). The available geological, isotope-geochronological, and geomorphological data suggest that the Tendürek Volcano is potentially active. Nowadays, Tendürek reaches the caldera stage of its development.     

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Late Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic volcanic rocks of the Okhotsk and Japan marginal seas

The results of ICP-MS trace-element (LILE, HFSE, REE) study of the Late Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic volcanic rocks of the Okhotsk and Japan seas and geochronological K-Ar dating of the Eocene volcanic rocks are presented. Specifics of volcanism developed on submarine rises of these seas was characterized for the first time, and magma sources and geodynamic settings of the volcanic complexes predating the formation of the deep-water basins were determined. It is established that the Late Mesozoic magmas were formed in a subduction setting from spinel peridotites of suprasubduction mantle wedge, which was metasomatically reworked by aqueous fluids that were released by dehydration of sedimentary layer of subducting oceanic plate. This follows from the elevated concentrations of H₂O, alkalis, potassium, LILE and LREE, and lowered HFSE (including Ta-Nb minimum) and HREE contents, at lowered Sm/Yb, Nb/Ta, Nb/Y and elevated La/Nb, Ba/La, and Zr/Y ratios. Eocene adakite-like volcanic rocks were identified for the first time in the Sea of Okhotsk. They vary from andesitic to more felsic compositions with elevated MgO (>4%) and elevated La/Yb (>14) and Sr/Y (50–60) ratios. Identification of adakite-like volcanic rocks serves as evidence in support of the transform continental-margin (or plate sliding) setting, which is characterized by breaking apart of subduction slab and formation of slab “windows” acting as pathways for the transfer of asthenospheric mantle into continental lithosphere. New geochemical data on the Late Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic volcanic rocks of the Okhotsk and Japan seas and analysis of literature data were used to distinguish two geodynamic settings within these seas: subduction and transform margin. Similar settings operated at that time in the adjacent continental- margin volcanic belts (Akinin and Miller, 2011; Martynov and Khanchuk, 2013; et al.).     

Late Quaternary evolution of the Gediz and Büyük Menderes grabens,Western Anatolia,Turkey

The Gediz and the Büyük Menderes Graben basins, two of the most important structural elements of western Anatolia, markedly differ in their palaeogeographic evolution during the Holocene. On the basis of the study of the facies and the geomorphological characteristics of the youngest sedimentary fills it is suggested that the evolution of the Büyük Menderes basin has a simple progradational history while the Gediz River basin has shown a complex evolution mainly controlled by intense tectonic periods. Comparison between the palaeogeographic evolution of these basins points to the fact that tectonism has been more effective in the Gediz basin during the Holocene.     

Geochemistry of granitoid rocks and crustal evolution, Zhejiang Province, China— II. Proterozoic granitoid rocks

Proterozoic granitoid rocks in Zhejiang Province were formed in the Shengongian period (1.8–1.9 Ga) and the Late Jinningian period (0.6–0.9 Ga), respectively. Petrogenetic problems are discussed based on chemical (major, trace elements and REEs) and Nd-Sr isotopic compositions. The Shengongian granites resulted from partial melting of the Badu Group and the Late Jinningian granites are of mantle derivation with or without contamination of crustal material. The crust in Zhejiang had undergone three major periods of growth during 2.6–2.7 Ga, 0.8–1.1 Ga and 0.10–0.12 Ga after it was generated in Archean time. Compositional fractionation in the process of crust evolution is not evident. The presence of Late Jinningian granites of mantle and mantle-crust-derivation along the Jiangshan-Shaoxing Fault is indicative of crust subduction at that time. This project was finantially supported by both the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 9490011) and the Zhongguancun Test Center.     

Geochemistry, mineralogy and genesis of pyrophyllite deposits in the Pötürge Region (Malatya, Eastern Turkey)

In the Pötürge (Malatya, Turkey) area pyrophyllite occurrences are common in the shear zones, mostly in the form of lenses along faults. Mineralogical investigations (XRD, FTIR and SEM) revealed that pyrophyllite, kaolinite (dickite) and quartz are present in the form of major phases and muscovite (sericite), kyanite, chlorite, and alunite are only present in the form of minor phases. This study revealed that the existence of the kyanite phase points out to high pressure and temperature conditions which the rocks were underwent. On the other hand, the minerals such as pyrophyllite, kaolinite, and alunite are products of a low degree metamorphism (retrograde). The mineral paragenesis in the pyrophyllite deposits suggests that the formation of minerals took place in two ways: (1) the transformation of kyanite into pyrophyllite and quartz through retrograde metamorphism by a high degree temperature, (2) then pyrophyllite and probably muscovite were transformed into kaolinite and alunite through reactions with relatively low temperature hydrothermal fluids. The geochemical data indicate that during the retrograde metamorphism the elements K, Rb, Sr, Ba, S, and Fe were mobile, the elements Si, Al, P moderately mobile to immobile and the HPS elements (Zr, Ti, and Nb) were immobile. It was shown that the formation of pyrophyllite, kaolinite and alunite was associated with depletion in alkalis, Mg, Fe and enrichment of elements including Sr, Ba, and S. Mineralogical and geochemical data suggest that parent rocks (pre-metamorphism) of the Pötürge pyrophyllite were probably kaolinite, Al-rich clays or bauxites.     

Petrology and Geochemistry of Post-Collisional Early Miocene Volcanism in the Karacada? Area (Central Anatolia, Turkey)

Early Miocene (ca.?21–18 Ma) volcanism in the Karacada? area comprises three groups of volcanic rocks: (1) calcalkaline suite (andesitic to rhyolitic lavas and their pyroclastics), (2) mildly-alkaline suite (alkali basalt, hawaiite, mugearite, benmoreite and trachydacite), and (3) a single trachyandesitic flow unit. Field observations, 40Ar/39Ar ages and geochemical data show that there was a progressive temporal transition from group 1 to 3 in a post-collisional tectonic setting. The calcalkaline suite rocks with medium-K in composition resemble those of subduction-related lavas, whereas the mildly-alkaline suite rocks having a sodic tendency (Na2O/K2O=1.5–3.2) resemble those of within-plate lavas. Incompatible element and Sr-Nd isotopic characteristics of the suites suggest that the lithospheric mantle beneath the Karacada? area was heterogeneously enriched by two processes before collision: (1) enrichment by subduction-related processes, which is important in the genesis of the calcalkaline volcanism, (2) enrichment by small degree melts from the astenosphere, which dominates the mildly alkaline volcanism. Perturbation of the enriched lithosphere by either delamination following collision and uplift or removal of the subducted slab following subduction and collision (i.e., slab breakoff) is the likely mechanism for the initiation of the post-collision volcanism.     

Geochemical constraints on petrogenesis of Late Cretaceous alkaline magmatism in east-central Anatolia (Hasancelebi–Basören, Malatya), Turkey

Late Cretaceous alkali magmatic rocks occur widely in the Hasancelebi and Basören regions (Malatya). The Hasancelebi and Basören intrusive rocks are mainly peralkaline and alkaline-oversaturated. The Hasancelebi intrusive rocks are made up of syenite to quartz monzonite. On the other hand the Basören intrusive rocks mainly contain feldspathoidal syenites that are cut by feldspathoid-bearing dykes. The Hasancelebi intrusive rocks show comparable field, petrographic and geochemical characteristics with A-type rocks. All intrusive rocks show enrichment in LILE and LREE relative to HFSE. The Th/Yb versus Ta/Yb diagram indicates that all magmatic rocks formed from an enriched mantle source region(s). The parental magma for the Basören rocks has a higher intraplate component than that from the Hasancelebi rocks which could be attributed to mantle source heterogeneity before collision in east-central Anatolia. Either delamination of the thermal boundary layer or slab-breakoff are likely mechanisms for the initiation of post-collisional magmatism in the Hasancelebi–Basören areas.     

Geochemistry,petrogenesis and tectonic setting of Neoproterozoic mafic–ultramafic rocks from the western Jiangnan orogen,South China

The Jiangnan orogenic belt (JOB) has been interpreted as a suture zone between the Yangtze craton and Cathaysian terranes in South China. The Neoproterozoic mafic–ultramafic rocks are extensively exposed in the western JOB, providing an ideal opportunity to study the Neoproterozoic assembly and tectonic evolution of South China. We present integrated field and geochemical studies including LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating, and whole-rock major and trace element and Sm–Nd isotope analyses of the Neoproterozoic mafic–ultramafic rocks exposed in the northern Guangxi Province, South China. Geochronological results show that the magmatic events took place in two distinct periods: the early Neoproterozoic (861–834 Ma) and the late Neoproterozoic (770–750 Ma). Early Neoproterozoic ultramafic rocks of the Sibao Group have positive ε_Nd(t) values (+ 2.7 to + 6.6) whereas mafic rocks exhibit negative ε_Nd(t) values (− 5.8 to − 0.9). The basaltic rocks show TiO₂ contents of 0.62–0.69 wt.% and Mg-number of 59–65, and also display an enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREEs) and pronounced negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies on chondrite- and primitive mantle-normalized diagrams, consistent with subduction-related geochemical signatures. Late Neoproterozoic rocks of the Danzhou Group show ε_Nd(t) values (− 1.23 to + 3.19) for both ultramafic and mafic rocks. The basaltic rocks have TiO₂ contents of 1.01–1.33 wt.% and Mg-number of 57–60, and have a mixture of MORB- and arc-like geochemical affinities, inferred to have formed in an extensional arc environment. Geochemical signatures suggest that all rock types in this study were derived from subarc mantle wedge sources and underwent various degrees of crustal contamination. Thus, we suggest that subduction may have continued to ca. 750 Ma in the western JOB, implying that the amalgamation event between the Yangtze craton and Cathaysian terranes was later than 750 Ma.     

Mineral chemical constraints on the petrogenesis of mafic and intermediate volcanic rocks from the Erciyes and Hasandağ volcanoes,Central Turkey

Hasandağ and Erciyes stratovolcanoes, which produced both calc-alkaline and alkaline eruptive products, are the two important volcanic complexes in Central Anatolia. There are three geochemical evolution stages in the history of the Hasandağ strato volcanic complex: (1) Keçikalesi tholeiitic, (2) Hasandağ calc-alkaline and (3) Hasandağ alkaline. Volcanologic and petrologic characteristics of the Hasandağ and Erciyes calc-alkaline series show that water played an important role on the genesis of these rocks. These rocks are phenocryst-rich with vesicular texture, and contain hydrous mineral phases. The approximate pressure and temperature estimates obtained from the mineral chemistry studies of the Hasandağ strato volcanic complex indicate crystallization temperature of 1100 °C with 2.5–3.4 kbar pressure interval for the first stage of Keçikalesi tholeiitic volcanism, and about 850 °C temperatures with 4.3–9.6 kbar pressure intervals for the second stage of Hasandağ calc-alkaline volcanism.The geochemical evolution of Erciyes volcanic complex also exhibits three distinct evolutionary stages: (1) Koçdağ alkaline, (2) Koçdağ calc-alkaline and (3) Erciyes calc-alkaline. The temperature of Koçdağ alkaline volcanism is 1097–1181 °C and in a range of 5.1–6.7 kbar pressure, for Koçdağ calc-alkaline volcanism 850–1050 °C temperature to 2.0–6.6 kbar pressure interval, and for Erciyes calc-alkaline volcanism about 950 °C temperature, to 3.2–7.9 kbar pressure intervals were calculated. Polybaric origin of magma chambers for calc-alkaline and alkaline rocks and disequilibrium parameters observed in phenocrysts indicate that the rocks were affected by magma mixing processes in crustal magma chambers. The disequilibrium features of amphibole and plagioclase phenocrysts in these rocks point the latent heat in magma chambers and periodic recharging with mafic magma chambers and also show that magmas reequilibrate before the eruption.     

Plio-Quaternary evolution of the Küçük Menderes Graben Southwestern Anatolia,Turkey

The Küçük Menderes Graben (KMG) is part of the horst-graben system of southwestern Anatolia (Turkey), bounded by the Bozda? horst in the north and the Ayd?n horst in the south. The Plio-Quaternary evolution of the KMG has been evaluated using the nature of the Miocene-Quaternary fill sediments and palaeostress analysis of slip data measured in different parts of the graben.

The graben is composed of five subbasins—the Kiraz, Ödemi?, Bay?nd?r, Da?k?z?lca-Torbal? and Selçuk—that are connected to each other through narrow Quaternary troughs. The Da?k?z?lca, Kiraz and Selçuk basins bear Miocene and younger sequences whereas the other subbasins are largely filled by Quaternary sediments. The maximum thickness of the Quaternary fill reaches about 270 m in the Ödemi? and Bay?nd?r subbasins.

The calculated slip results indicate multidirectional extension, three successive deformational periods, and possible counterclockwise rotation in the KMG during the post-Miocene period. The first phase was a strike-slip regime under N-S compression, followed by a second phase of deformation which resulted in ENE-WSW extension with strike-slip components. The final phase of deformation was NE-SW extension which constituted the final evolution of the KMG.

The graben gained its present morphological configuration via the onset of E-W-trending, high-angle normal faulting imposed on the regionwide synformal structure during the Plio-Quaternary. The KMG evolved as a result of rifting during the Plio-Quaternary which followed Late Miocene unroofing of the Menderes Massif and the evolution of the Büyük Menderes and Gediz grabens.     

U-Pb zircon and K-Ar geochronology reveal the emplacement and cooling history of the Late Cretaceous Beypazarı granitoid,central Anatolia,Turkey

The Beypazar? granitoid has been studied with respect to multi-radiometric dating and oxygen isotopic geothermometry. Radiometric dating of the granitoid yields zircon U-Pb isochron ages ranging from 72.5 ± 12.6 to 78.6 ± 4.7, and K-Ar ages of 71.4 ± 2.8 to 74.9 ± 2.9 and 59.5 ± 2.2 to 75.4 ± 2.9 Ma for hornblende and biotite, respectively. Oxygen isotope thermometry for the granitoid gives temperatures of 550 ± 25°C to 605 ± 30, 390 ± 15 to 540 ± 25°C, and 481 ± 5 to 675 ± 10°C, for hornblende, biotite, and K-feldspar, respectively, when paired with quartz. The systematic differences among ages according to different techniques used on different minerals are used to reconstruct the cooling history of the granite. The results yield rapid cooling rates of 33.3°C/Ma from 800°C to 550°C, and slow cooling rates of about 15 ± 0.5°C/Ma from 550 to 300°C. Rapid subsolidus cooling between 600°C and 550°C is documented by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages on amphibole and biotite between 71.4 ± 2.8 and 75.4 ± 2.9 Ma. Younger ages on biotites from two samples (59.5 ± 2.2 and 64.4 ± 2.5) are probably caused by loss of Ar. The reason for this possible Ar loss can be interpreted as slower subsolidus cooling (~375°C) ages. There is an apparent spatial and temporal relationship between the intrusion-cooling of the Beypazar? granitoid and the evolution of the ?zmir–Ankara–Erzincan ocean belonging to the northern Neo-Tethyan ocean domain.     

Middle Pleistocene bivalves of the İznik lake basin (Eastern Marmara, NW Turkey) and a new paleobiogeographical approach

?znik Lake is a tectonically originated basin mainly controlled by the E–W trending middle strand of the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) system. Pleistocene sediments occurring in front of the faults are well exposed both in the northern and in the southern shorelines of the basin. In this study, two endemic brackish water bivalve species, Didacna subpyramidata Pravoslavkev 1939 and Didacna nov. sp. were found in the oldest terrace of the northern Pleistocene sequence. Having characterized morphology, these species serve as stratigraphic indicators in the regional Pleistocene stratigraphy of the Ponto-Caspian region, and thus are well correlated to the assemblages of the early Khazarian subhorizon (Middle Pleistocene). Hence, these data demonstrate that the early Khazarian brackish water sea covered the study area. Additionally, a model for the formation of the basin is proposed: the ?znik lake basin was a gulf of the former Marmara Sea in the early Khazarian, connecting the Marmara to the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The subsequent regional prograding uplifts, main dextral strike-slip fault and many normal faults of the NAF Zone cut off the marine connections to the basin, leading to its present location and topographic level.     

Geochemistry and Genesis of the Sodium-Charnockitic Gneisses, Eastern Hebei Province, China

High in sodium and low in potassium (Na_2O/ K_2O>1), the charnockitic gneiss series in theSantunying- Taipingzhai area, eastern Hebei province, consists of hypersthene- quartz- diorite,hypersthene-granodiorite and hypersthene-plagioclase-granite. Geological, petrological and large ion lithophileelement(LILE), high field strength element (HFSE) and REE geochemical studies suggest that themedium-coarse-grained hypersthene-granodiorite is the product of crystallization of anatectic magmas of thesame composition. Under granulite facies conditions, the equilibrium crystallization differentiation of themagmas yielded the early crystallization phase-high-SiO_2, LILE-depleted, low-∑REE, positive Eu anomalyand REE- saturated hypersthene- plagioclase- granite. The residual phase, coarse- grained to pegmatitichypersthene- granodiorite, is marked by low SiO_2, LILE-enrichment, high ∑REE and REE-undersaturation.These rocks and hypersthene-quartz-diorite enclaves constitute the sodium-charnockitic gneiss series in easternHebei province. Model calculation for trace elements in the granitoids was applied. On the basis of a systematicgeological study, the equation for calculation was chosen, the source magma was determined and the partitioncoefficients were obtained. The resulting curves are entirely consistent with those observed in the patterns of ac-tual rocks. The study indicates that whole-rock REE patterns can not be used directly in the comparison of thesources and genesis of granitoids.     

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of mafic-ultramafic rocks from the Central Indian Ridge,latitude 8°–17° S: denudation of mantle harzburgites and gabbroic rocks and compositional variation of basalts

This study investigates the formation of lower oceanic crust and geochemical variations of basalts along the Central Indian Ridge (CIR, lat. 7°45′–17°10′ S). Harzburgites, various gabbroic cumulates, medium- to fine-grained oxide gabbros, diabases, and pillow basalts were recovered by dredging from segment ends such as ridge-transform intersections (RTIs), non-transform discontinuities (NTDs), and transform offset areas. The occurrence of both harzburgites and gabbroic rocks with minor basalts at all segments ends, and leucogabbro intrusive into harzburgite at the 12°45′ S NTD indicates that oceanic crust at segment ends exposes mantle-derived harzburgites and gabbroic intrusions with a thin basaltic cover due to sparse magmatic activity. Basalts collected along the entire ridge show wide compositional variations between N (normal)- and E (enriched)-mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB). T (transitional)-MORBs with enriched affinities are more prominent than N-MORBs. There is no tendency of enrichment towards specific directions. (La/Sm)_N variations in MORB along the CIR (8°–21°S) fluctuates at a regional scale with local high positive anomalies reflecting compositional heterogeneity of the sub-CIR mantle domain.     

Kizilcaören ore-bearing complex with carbonatites (northwestern Anatolia,Turkey): Formation time and mineralogy of rocks

The results of isotope-geochronological and mineralogical studies of the rocks making up the Kizilcaören fluorite-barite-REE deposit, northwestern Anatolia, Turkey are discussed in the paper. The ore is a constituent of the subvolcanic complex localized in a large fault zone. The complex combines (from earlier to later rocks): (1) phonolite and trachyte stocks, (2) carbonatite and carbonate-silicate dikelike bodies; and (3) fluorite-barite-bastnaesite ore in the form of thick homogeneous veins and cement in breccia. The K-Ar dating of silicate igneous rocks and carbonatites shows that they were formed in the Chattian Age of the Oligocene 25–24 Ma ago. Mineralogical observations show that the ore is the youngest constituent in the rock complex. Supergene alteration deeply transformed ore-bearing rocks, in particular, resulting in leaching of primary minerals, presumably Ca-Mn-Fe carbonates, and in cementation of the residual bastnaesitefluorite framework by Fe and Mn hydroxides. Most of the studied rocks contain pyrochlore, LREE fluorocarbonates, Nb-bearing rutile, Fe-Mg micas, and K-feldspar. The genetic features of the deposit have been considered. In general, the ore-bearing rock complex is compared in the set of rocks and their mineralogy and geochemistry with deposits of the Gallinas Mountains in the United States, the Arshan and Khalyuta deposits in the western Transbaikalia region, and Mushugai-Khuduk deposit in Mongolia. The Kizilcaören deposit represents a variant of postmagmatic mineralization closely related to carbonatite magmatism associated with alkaline and subalkaline intermediate rocks.     

Quaternary bimodal volcanism in the Niğde Volcanic Complex (Cappadocia,central Anatolia,Turkey): age,petrogenesis and geodynamic implications

The late Neogene to Quaternary Cappadocian Volcanic Province (CVP) in central Anatolia is one of the most impressive volcanic fields of Turkey because of its extent and spectacular erosionally sculptured landscape. The late Neogene evolution of the CVP started with the eruption of extensive andesitic-dacitic lavas and ignimbrites with minor basaltic lavas. This stage was followed by Quaternary bimodal volcanism. Here, we present geochemical, isotopic (Sr–Nd–Pb and δ¹⁸O isotopes) and geochronological (U–Pb zircon and Ar–Ar amphibole and whole-rock ages) data for bimodal volcanic rocks of the Ni?de Volcanic Complex (NVC) in the western part of the CVP to determine mantle melting dynamics and magmatic processes within the overlying continental crust during the Quaternary. Geochronological data suggest that the bimodal volcanic activity in the study area occurred between ca. 1.1 and ca. 0.2 Ma (Pleistocene) and comprises (1) mafic lavas consisting of basalts, trachybasalts, basaltic andesites and scoria lapilli fallout deposits with mainly basaltic composition, (2) felsic lavas consisting of mostly rhyolites and pumice lapilli fall-out and surge deposits with dacitic to rhyolitic composition. The most mafic sample is basalt from a monogenetic cone, which is characterized by ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7038, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.5128, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.80, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.60 and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.68, suggesting a moderately depleted signature of the mantle source. Felsic volcanic rocks define a narrow range of ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotope ratios (0.5126–0.5128) and are homogeneous in Pb isotope composition (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.84–18.87, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.64–15.67 and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.93–38.99). ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic compositions of mafic (0.7038–0.7053) and felsic (0.7040–0.7052) samples are similar, reflecting a common mantle source. The felsic rocks have relatively low zircon δ¹⁸O values (5.6 ± 0.6 ‰) overlapping mantle values (5.3 ± 0.3 %), consistent with an origin by fractional crystallization from a mafic melt with very minor continental crustal contamination. The geochronological and geochemical data suggest that mafic and felsic volcanic rocks of the NVC are genetically closely related to each other. Mafic rocks show a positive trend between ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and Th, suggesting simultaneous assimilation and fractional crystallization, whereas the felsic rocks are characterized by a flat or slightly negative variation. High ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr gneisses are a potential crustal contaminant of the mafic magmas, but the comparatively low and invariant ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in the felsic volcanics suggests that these evolved dominantly by fractional crystallization. Mantle-derived basaltic melts, which experienced low degree of crustal assimilation, are proposed to be the parent melt of the felsic volcanics. Geochronological and geochemical results combined with regional geological and geophysical data suggest that bimodal volcanism of the NVC and the CVP, in general, developed in a post-collisional extensional tectonic regime that is caused by ascending asthenosphere, which played a key role during magma genesis.     

Geochronology,geochemistry, and petrogenesis of the Maçka subvolcanic intrusions: implications for the Late Cretaceous magmatic and geodynamic evolution of the eastern part of the Sakarya Zone,northeastern Turkey

The Maçka subvolcanic intrusions (MSIs) in the eastern part of the Sakarya zone, northeastern Turkey, play a critical role in understanding the petrogenetic and geodynamic processes that took place during the growth of Late Cretaceous arc crust of this region. U–Pb zircon (79.97 ± 0.97 Ma) and two ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar amphibole ages (average 81.37 ± 0.5 Ma) indicate that the MSIs were emplaced in Late Cretaceous (Campanian) time into the coeval volcanic rocks. A slightly younger zircon fission track (FT) age (73 ± 9 Ma) points to a rapid exhumation and cooling after crystallization. The intrusions are observed in areas less than 1 km² in the field and contain abundant mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs). The host rocks (HRs) are entirely composed of tonalite (SiO₂ = 63–65 wt.%, Mg# = 43–52), and the MMEs are gabbro-diorite in composition (SiO₂ = 53–57 wt.%, Mg# = 45–48). Both the HRs and the MMEs are I-type, high-K calc-alkaline in composition and display a metaluminous character. They are characterized by geochemical features typical for magmas of subduction-related environments. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns are moderately fractionated [(La/Yb)_N = 6–11] and display slightly negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.7–0.9), with weak concave-upward REE patterns, suggesting that amphibole fractionation played a role during their evolution. The MMEs have slightly different I_Sr (0.7081–0.7085) and ε_Nd (?5.0 to ?5.4) values compared with those of their HRs (I_Sr = 0.7084–0.7087 and ε_Nd = ?5.7 to ?6.9), indicating that variable amounts of crustal and mantle components were involved in the generation of parental magma to these rocks. All of these data, combined with those of previous regional studies, suggest that the MSIs are hybrid in origin, produced by the mixing of enriched lithospheric mantle- and lower crust-derived melts in an extensional arc setting that was caused by slab rollback.     

Preventing and analysis of falling rocks: A case of Sarica village (Gürün,Turkey)

Rock fall is a common natural hazard causing significant damage to infrastructure and loss of life and property. This paper describes selection of prevention method, construction processes and the results of a rockfall hazard assessment for the village of Sarica (Gürün region, Turkey) based on an engineering-geological model. The study area is located on the lower parts of an area with very steep cliffs and 40-50⁰ slopes with fractured sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Detailed studies have been conducted in the region to prevent the risk of any rockfalls. Maps and charts are prepared including the rock blocks that are likely to fall and the related housing area under the risk. It was found that block sizes reached 3 m³. Rockfall analyses were performed along the selected profiles using the Rocfall V.5.0 software. Kinetic energy, bounce height, horizontal location of rock end-points and velocity of the rocks along each section were evaluated separately for each profile. This data was used to select design and construction of rockfall preventing system. In this study professional type rock fall barrier (catchment fence) was used. This method was chosen because it was cheaper, more practical and reliable than others.