Evidence of Possible Recharge Zones for Lake Salda (Turkey)

This study explores the evidence of recharge locations using hydrogeochemical and physicochemical measurements in an alkaline lake, Lake Salda, in Burdur, Turkey. In-situ measurements have been performed using a conductivity–temperature–depth device to map the physicochemical dynamic of the lake. Water and sediment samples were collected on the surface and floor of the lake. A seismic study was also carried out in order to observe the geometry of the lake floor. In addition, thermal distribution was mapped using the thermal band of Landsat 7 ETM+ and Landsat 8 satellite images. Temperature and specific conductance measurements were mapped using a new technique, Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK), from the lake’s surface to the floor. According to interpolation maps obtained from the EBK, possible water inputs were observed close to a fault at the south-eastern part of the lake. The results of thermal band imaging also reveal the probability of a fault effecting the recharge on the surface. The results of water and sediment samples present a richness in Mg²⁺ and Fe²⁺ elements respectively on the floor of the lake. Finally, seismic results show some possible recharge zones on the floor of the lake, and sediment results indicate that there should be peridotite occurrence below the alluvium unit.     

Numerical investigation of stochastic response of an elevated water tank to random underground blast loading

This paper presents a stochastic finite element seismic response study of a water tank subjected to random underground blast-induced ground motion. Such tanks contain water and hazardous chemical substances, which implies significant risk to human life, serious environmental pollution, and considerable economic loss. The random blast-induced ground motion is represented by power spectral density function and applied to each support point of the three dimensional finite element model of the elevated water tank–fluid interaction system. A parametric study is conducted to estimate the effects of the blast-induced ground motion on the stochastic response of the elevated water tank system. Therefore, the analyses are carried out for different values of the charge weight and the distance from the charge centre. Additionally, in order to investigate the effect of the fluid on the stochastic response of the elevated water tank, three cases with different water levels are considered in the analyses. Finally, it is observed that underground blast loading considerably changes the stochastic behavior of the elevated water tank system.     

Spatial distribution of some elements and elemental contamination in the sediments of Köyceğiz Lake (SW Turkey)

Elemental accumulation, distribution and relationship profiles for sediment samples taken at 81 localities in the Köyce?iz Lake were investigated. Spatial distribution maps for ten elements (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, Co, Mn, Mo, Al, Fe) were created using the ordinary kriging interpolation method. Statistical tests revealed that the sediments taken from areas close to the Namnam (NamSM) and Karg?cak (KarSM) stream mouths have the highest element content. In addition, sediments close to NamSM have the highest contamination, according to contamination degree and modified contamination degree values. On the other hand, sediments close to KarSM have the highest value on the pollution load index. The enrichment factor and contamination factor values of Cr and Co, and especially Ni, close to NamSM are striking and have significantly higher values compared to the rest of the lake. There are strong correlations between these three elements, which were also confirmed by cluster analysis. Ni is the element having the highest value on the geoaccumulation index. In addition, according to the toxic unit results, it was found that 84–89% of the element-based toxic effect in the lake is due to Ni alone. According to the mean effect range median quotient values, the sediments of Köyce?iz Lake have a potential to show toxic effects of at least 76% in living organisms, which is due to the high levels of Ni. According to the mean probable effect low quotient value, it has been determined that Köyce?iz Lake is at a “highly impacted” level, which is the worst possible value on the quality scale.     

Seismic microzonation and earthquake damage scenarios for urban areas

A methodology for seismic microzonation and earthquake damage scenarios may be considered as composed of two stages. In the first stage, microzonation maps with respect to estimated earthquake characteristics on the ground surface are generated for an investigated urban area. The effects of local geological and geotechnical site conditions are taken into account based on site characterization with respect to representative soil profiles extending down to the engineering bedrock. 1D site response analyses are performed to calculate earthquake characteristics on the ground surface using as many as possible, hazard compatible real acceleration time histories. In the second stage, vulnerability of buildings and pipeline systems are estimated based on site-specific ground motion parameters. A pilot study is carried out to evaluate seismic damage in a district in Istanbul, Turkey. The results demonstrate the significance of site characterization and site response analysis in calculating the earthquake characteristics on the ground surface in comparison to simplified empirical procedures.     

Basin progress: active deformation analysis by tectonostratigraphic elements and geophysical methods on North Anatolian Fault System (Eastern Marmara Region,Turkey)

Natural Hazards - The Northern Branch of the North Anatolian Fault System controls and deforms the Izmit Basin and the Sapanca Lake Basin in the study area. Unlike the Sapanca Lake Basin, the...     

Determination of the tectonic evolution of the Edremit Gulf based on seismic reflection studies

The Edremit Gulf, which developed during the Neogene-Quaternary, is a seismically active graben in NW Anatolia (Turkey) surrounded by the Sakarya continent. The sedimentary deposits in the gulf overlie the bedrock unconformably and can be separated into two parts as upper and lower deposits based on similarity of their seismic characteristics, and because the contact between them is clear. The lower deposits are characterized in the seismic profiles by the absence of well defined, continuous reflectors and are strongly disturbed by faults. A tectonic map and structural model of the Edremit Gulf was derived from interpreting 21 deep seismic profiles trending NE–SW and NW–SE within the gulf. Two fault systems were distinguished on the basis of this compilation. The NNW–SSE trending parallel faults are low-angle normal faults formed after compression. They controlled and deformed the lower basin deposits. A syncline and anticline with a broad fold-curvature length resulted in folds that developed parallel to basin boundaries in the lower basin deposits. The ENE–WSW trending high-angle faults have controlled and deformed the northern basin of the Edremit Gulf. The folds developed within the northern lower deposits originated from the listric geometry of the faults. These faults are normal faults associated with regional N–S extension in western Anatolia. The Edremit Gulf began to open under the control of low-angle NNW–SSE trending faults that developed after the compression of western Anatolia in an E–W direction in the early Neogene. Subsequently, regional N–S extensional stress and high-angle normal faults cut the previous structures, opened the northern basin, and controlled and deformed the lower basin deposits in the gulf. As a result, the Edremit Gulf has not been controlled by any strike-slip faults or the Northern Anatolian Fault. The basin developed in the two different tectonic regimes of western Anatolia as an Aegean type cross-graben from the Neogene to Holocene.     

Istanbul geotechnical downhole arrays

Geotechnical downhole arrays that record seismic ground response in near-surface layers are increasingly becoming one of the best sources of information for developing, verifying, and calibrating engineering analyses and design methods. Recently, three geotechnical downhole arrays have been installed in the European side of Istanbul, Turkey with efforts of Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute (KOERI). The existing high seismic activity of the region increases the scientific importance of these downhole arrays. Each array is composed of one accelerometer on the ground surface and three or four borehole accelerometers at various depths along the soil profile with the deepest sensor located at the engineering bedrock level (V_s > 750 m/s). The arrays also provide reference bedrock motion for Rapid Response Network composed of 55 surface instruments operated by KOERI in the west European side of city. An important aspect of this paper is to introduce the recently-completed test sites emphasizing on their potential to generate valuable data for scientific community. Preliminary analysis of the recorded data provides evidence for significant site amplification of ground motion by the surface layers. Comparisons between the recorded and modeled response indicate that V_s 30 alone is a poor indicator of the amplification potential emphasizing the importance of site-specific analyses in predicting the ground response as opposed to empirical approaches.     

Stochastic dynamic response of dam–reservoir–foundation systems to spatially varying earthquake ground motions

In this paper, stochastic dynamic responses of dam–reservoir–foundation systems subjected to spatially varying earthquake ground motions are investigated using the displacement-based fluid finite elements. For this purpose, variable-number-node two-dimensional (2D) fluid finite elements based on the Lagrangian approach is programmed in FORTRAN language and incorporated into a computer program SVEM, which is used for stochastic dynamic analysis of solid systems subjected to spatially varying earthquake ground motion. The spatially varying earthquake ground motion model includes incoherence, wave-passage and site-response effects. The incoherence effect is examined by considering the Harichandran and Vanmarcke coherency model. The effect of the wave passage is investigated by using various wave velocities. Homogeneous medium and firm soil types are selected for considering the site-response effect where the foundation supports are constructed. The Sar?yar concrete gravity dam, constructed in Turkey is selected for numerical example. The ground motion is described by filtered white noise and applied to each support point of the 2D finite element model of the dam–reservoir–foundation system. The record of Kocaeli earthquake in 1999 is used in the analyses. Displacements, stresses and hydrodynamic pressures occurring on the upstream face of the dam are calculated for four cases. It is concluded that spatially varying earthquake ground motions have important effects on the stochastic dynamic response of dam–reservoir–foundation systems.     

Tracing the middle strand of the North Anatolian Fault Zone through the southern Sea of Marmara based on seismic reflection studies

We studied the active deformation zone of the middle strand of the North Anatolian Fault Zone through the southern part of the Sea of Marmara by means of high-resolution as well as deep seismic reflection data. Our main objective was to investigate the active deformation within the uppermost sedimentary layers at high resolution as well as deeper sedimentary layers, focusing on the tectonic and stratigraphic setting between Gemlik and Bandırma. The middle strand of the North Anatolian Fault reaching the Gulf of Gemlik is a main fault which has a lazy-S shape in the Gulf of Gemlik, and extends westwards to Bandırma as a main fault which is an E–W-trending single right-lateral fault controlling the zone along the Gemlik and Bandırma sub-basins. Small-scale faults, consistent with a dextral shear regime, are present in the vicinity of the main fault. Several oblique fault groups parallel to the main fault were detected. The deformation in the Gulf of Gemlik is characterized by a series of synthetic and antithetic faults emanating from the main fault. The boundary faults in the Gulf of Gemlik have a compressive component, which indicates the sill areas of the gulfs of Gemlik and Bandırma to be push-up structures. Four seismic stratigraphic units were identified in the sediments of the gulfs of Gemlik and Bandırma, providing evidence of tectonic influence. The present tectonic structure between Gemlik and Bandırma is not a pull-apart structure. The microseismic study in this area has shown that fault planes are either strike-slip or compressional, and that the stress tensor is compatible with pure strike-slip in the E–W fault system.