Late Cretaceous coeval acidic and basic magmatism,Karacaali Magmatic Complex,Central Anatolia,Turkey

The Central Anatolia Crystalline Complex (CACC) is characterized by Late Cretaceous high-temperature metamorphic rocks intruded by S-, I-, and A-type granitoids. Coeval basic plutonic and volcanic rocks also crop out in the complex. The NE–SW-trending Karacaali Magmatic Complex (KMC) represents a clear example of synchronous basic and acidic magmatic associations. We present new data on this coeval magmatism. The KMC plutonic rocks mainly consist of monzonite, granite, and gabbro, whereas the associated volcanic rocks are chiefly of basalt and rhyolite. All of the units have been cut by quartz, quartz-tourmaline, and calcite veins and by porphyritic leucogranite, aplitic, and basaltic dikes. The rhyolitic, basaltic, and gabbroic samples yield well-defined ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages of 69.1 ± 1.3, 58 ± 10, and 66.4 ± 1 million years, respectively; these data indicate that a younger multiphase basic magma was injected into a partially crystallized monzonitic magma chamber. The basic intrusions added heat to the system and gave rise to the re-fusion of the already crystallized parts of the monzonitic melt, forming the younger leucogranitic magma. The gradational contacts, cross-cutting relationships, trace element contents, trace element patterns, rare-earth element (REE) patterns, and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronological data of the studied igneous suite clearly demonstrate that the acidic and basic rocks of the KMC were contemporaneous and are produced by partial melting of distinct sources rather than by fractional crystallization of a single source.     

Preservation by basalt of a staircase of latest Pliocene terraces of the River Murat in eastern Turkey: Evidence for rapid uplift of the eastern Anatolian Plateau

Unspiked K–Ar dating makes the age of the Çakmaközü basalt in eastern Turkey 1818 ± 39 ka (± 2σ). This basalt overlies a staircase of four terraces of the River Murat, a Euphrates tributary, each separated vertically by  20 m. We deduce from the relationship with the basalt that these fluvial deposits aggraded during successive  40 ka climate cycles around the Pliocene–Pleistocene boundary (probably MIS 72-66). The incision and rock uplift at  0.5 mm a^− 1, thus indicated, are roughly consistent with the  500 m of entrenchment of this  1.8 Ma Murat palaeo-valley into a former lake basin since the Mid-Pliocene climatic optimum. We infer that the  130 m of incision in this locality since  1.8 Ma dramatically underestimates the associated rock uplift, estimated as  600 m. The  1100 m of rock uplift and  800 m of surface uplift thus estimated since the Mid-Pliocene indicate (assuming Airy isostatic equilibrium)  5 km of thickening of the continental crust, from  37 km to the present 42 km. Eastern Anatolia was thus at a much lower altitude in the Mid-Pliocene than at present, consistent with the low-relief lacustrine palaeo-environment. We infer that the subsequent development of topography and excess crustal thickness are being caused by coupling between surface processes and induced flow in the lower crust: climate change following the Mid-Pliocene climatic optimum resulted in faster erosion that has drawn mobile lower crust beneath the study region.     

Collision-related slab break-off volcanism in the Eastern Anatolia,Kepez volcanic complex (TURKEY)

The Neogene–Quaternary volcanic products, related to Arabian and Anatolian Plate collision along the Bitlis Suture Zone, cover wide areas on both plates. One of these volcanic exposures on the Arabian Plate is the Kepez volcanic complex (KVC). This study aims explain to petrogenesis of KVC. Although some examples display alkaline affinities, the majority of the volcanic rock is calc-alkaline and can be defined in three main groups. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data obtained from dacite, basalt and andesite rock groups within the KVC yield ages of between 13.5 and 15.5 Ma. Geochemical and petrographical data show that the andesitic rocks are products of homogeneous mixing between basic end-member magmas and dacitic magmas which are the products of partial melting of lower crustal compositions. Basaltic products of KVC are asthenospheric mantle derived, while dacitic and andesitic volcanic rocks are crustal origin. High Sr and Nd isotope ratios may indicate that andesitic and dacitic rocks originated from continental crust. The lithospheric mantle, which is subducting underneath the Anatolian plate, must have experienced slab break-off processes 13–15 million years ago and sunk into the asthenosphere. KVC were produced with the collision between Arabian and Anatolian Plates and related uplift of the East Anatolia region.     

Precursory accelerating seismic crustal deformation in the Northwestern Anatolia Fault Zone

We present the results of a systematic search for the identification of accelerating seismic crustal deformation in the broader northern Aegean area and in northwestern Turkey. We found that accelerating seismic deformation release, expressed by the generation of intermediate magnitude earthquakes, is currently observed in NW Turkey. On the basis of the critical earthquake model and by applying certain constraints which hold between the basic quantities involved in this phenomenon, it can be expected that this accelerating seismic activity may culminate in the generation of two strong earthquakes in this area during the next few years.The estimated epicenter coordinates of the larger of these probably impending earthquakes are 39.7°N–28.8°E, its magnitude is 7.0 and its occurrence time t_c=2003.5. The second strong event is expected to occur at t_c=2002.5 with a magnitude equal to 6.4 and epicenter coordinates 40.0°N–27.4°E. The uncertainties in the calculated focal parameters for these expected events are of the order of 100 km for the epicenter, ±0.5 for their magnitude and ±1.5 years for their occurrence time.     

Spatial distribution of climatic conditions from the Middle Eocene to Late Miocene based on palynoflora in Central,Eastern and Western Anatolia

The continental climatic evolution of Anatolia has been reconstructed quantitatively for the last 45 million years using the coexistence approach. Although there were some regional effects, the Anatolian Cenozoic continental climate record correlated with the European climatic condition and the global oxygen isotope record from marine environments. From middle Eocene to late Miocene, continental warming in Anatolia was pronounced for inferred winter temperature and mean annual temperature as in Europe. Generally, the palaeoclimatic property of Anatolia resembles the European climatic changing and marine temperature changing based on the oxygen isotope record; however, climatic values of the terrestrial area in Anatolia are higher from Lutetian to Aquitanian and these values are lower than European values from Aquitanian to Tortonian. Correspondingly, Cenozoic climatic cooling in Anatolia is directly associated with an increase of seasonality, palaeogeographic position and terrestrial condition. Furthermore, mean annual precipitation values of Anatolia remained relatively stable during the Eocene–Oligocene; however, these values indicated changing throughout middle–late Miocene. Moreover, in this study, decline of abundance and variables for the mangrove and back mangrove palaeocommunities during the last 45 million years is recorded because of the decreasing of humidity, temperature and increasing of terrestrial condition.     

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.     

复杂地壳接收函数H-κ叠加——以安纳托利亚板块为例

本文理论分析了具有不同沉积层和壳幔过渡带结构的接收函数及其相关的H-κ叠加结果,然后采用接收函数H-κ叠加和波形反演方法获得了具有复杂构造演化历史的中北安纳托利亚板块的地壳厚度(H)、V_P/V_S(κ)和V_S结构.理论分析表明:厚的沉积层或沉积层和厚的壳幔过渡带共存都会使H-κ叠加失效;渐变型壳幔过渡带导致H-κ叠加的H位于过渡带中间,且随着频率增大逐渐靠近过渡带上方;倒转型壳幔过渡带导致H-κ叠加具有多极值,其结果可能反应过渡带内最大波阻抗界面上的地壳结构;1km·s~(-1)的V_P变化会导致H-κ叠加的H变化7km,而κ变化较小.实际资料分析表明:中北安纳托利亚H,κ和V_S具有强烈的横向不均匀性,大部分区域沉积层厚度0.5km,局部地区壳幔过渡带厚度3km;北安纳托利亚断层切穿地壳,在局部地区可能存在流体;研究区存在残留古老的小陆块体.本文研究表明,仔细分析接收函数波形和其随方位角的变化特征且用其他地震学方法进行约束,有助于采用H-κ叠加方法获取复杂地壳结构信息.     

Sedimentary evolution and environmental history of Lake Van (Turkey) over the past 600 000 years

The lithostratigraphic framework of Lake Van, eastern Turkey, has been systematically analysed to document the sedimentary evolution and the environmental history of the lake during the past ca 600 000 years. The lithostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of a 219 m long drill core from Lake Van serve to separate global climate oscillations from local factors caused by tectonic and volcanic activity. An age model was established based on the climatostratigraphic alignment of chemical and lithological signatures, validated by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages. The drilled sequence consists of ca 76% lacustrine carbonaceous clayey silt, ca 2% fluvial deposits, ca 17% volcaniclastic deposits and 5% gaps. Six lacustrine lithotypes were separated from the fluvial and event deposits, such as volcaniclastics (ca 300 layers) and graded beds (ca 375 layers), and their depositional environments are documented. These lithotypes are: (i) graded beds frequently intercalated with varved clayey silts reflecting rising lake levels during the terminations; (ii) varved clayey silts reflecting strong seasonality and an intralake oxic–anoxic boundary, for example, lake‐level highstands during interglacials/interstadials; (iii) CaCO₃‐rich banded sediments which are representative of a lowering of the oxic–anoxic boundary, for example, lake level decreases during glacial inceptions; (iv) CaCO₃‐poor banded and mottled clayey silts reflecting an oxic–anoxic boundary close to the sediment–water interface, for example, lake‐level lowstands during glacials/stadials; (v) diatomaceous muds were deposited during the early beginning of the lake as a fresh water system; and (vi) fluvial sands and gravels indicating the initial flooding of the lake basin. The recurrence of lithologies (i) to (iv) follows the past five glacial/interglacial cycles. A 20 m thick disturbed unit reflects an interval of major tectonic activity in Lake Van at ca 414 ka bp . Although local environmental processes such as tectonic and volcanic activity influenced sedimentation, the lithostratigraphic pattern and organic matter content clearly reflect past global climate changes, making Lake Van an outstanding terrestrial archive of unprecedented sensitivity for the reconstruction of the regional climate over the last 600 000 years.     

Petrogenesis of kyanite‐ and corundum‐bearing mafic granulite in a meta‐ophiolite,SE Turkey

Although ophiolitic rocks are abundant in Anatolia (Turkey), only in rare cases have they experienced high‐grade metamorphism. Even more uncommon, in Anatolia and elsewhere are high‐grade meta‐ophiolites that retain an oceanic lithosphere stratigraphy from upper crustal mafic volcanic rocks through lower crustal gabbro to mantle peridotite. The Berit meta‐ophiolite of SE Turkey exhibits both features: from structurally higher to lower levels, it consists of garnet amphibolite (metabasalt), granulite facies metagabbro (as lenses in amphibolite inferred to be retrogressed granulite) and metaperidotite (locally with metapyroxenite layers). Whole‐rock major and trace‐element data indicate a tholeiitic protolith that formed in a suprasubduction setting. This paper presents new results for the metamorphic P–T conditions and path of oceanic lower crustal rocks in the Berit meta‐ophiolite, and an evaluation of the tectonic processes that may drive granulite facies metamorphism of ophiolite gabbro. In the Do?an?ehir (Malatya, Turkey) region, granulite facies gabbroic rocks contain garnet (Grt)+clinopyroxene (Cpx)+plagioclase (Pl)+corundum (Crn)±orthopyroxene (Opx)±kyanite (Ky)±sapphirine (Spr)±rutile. Some exhibit symplectites consisting of Crn+Cpx, Ky+Cpx and/or coronas of garnet (outer shell) around a polygonal aggregate of clinopyroxene that in some cases surrounds a polygonal aggregate of orthopyroxene. Coronitic and non‐coronitic textures occur in proximity in mm‐ to cm‐scale layers; corona structures typically occur in plagioclase‐rich layers. Their formation is therefore related primarily to protolith type (troctolite v. gabbro) rather than P–T path. Phase diagrams calculated for a kyanite‐rich granulite, a plagioclase‐rich non‐coronitic granulite, and a plagioclase‐rich coronitic granulite (taking into account changes in effective bulk composition during texture development) predict peak conditions of ~800°C, 1.1–1.5 GPa; these conditions do not require invoking an unusually high geothermal gradient. In the coronitic metagabbro, reaction textures formed along the prograde path: Crn–Cpx symplectites grew at the expense of garnet, sapphirine and plagioclase. Peak conditions were followed by isobaric cooling of ~150°C. Hornblende–plagioclase thermometry results for host amphibolite (Hbl+Pl±Crn±Grt±relict Cpx) indicate retrograde conditions of 620–675°C and 0.5–0.8 GPa accompanied by infiltration of H₂O‐rich fluid. This anticlockwise P–T path differs from an isothermal decompression path previously proposed for these rocks based on the presence of symplectite. Metamorphism of the ophiolitic rocks was driven by closing of the southern Neotethys Ocean, as oceanic lithosphere was obducted (most SE Anatolian ophiolites) or underthrust (Berit meta‐ophiolite). This was followed by subduction of a continental margin, driving cooling of the Berit granulite after the thermal peak at depths of ~40 km.     

Palaeomagnetic evidence for the Gondwanian origin of the Taurides and rotation of the Isparta Angle,southern Turkey

The Taurides, the southernmost of the three major tectonic domains that constitute present‐day Turkey, were emplaced following consumption of the Tethyan Ocean in Late Mesozoic to mid‐Tertiary times. They are generally assigned an origin at the northern perimeter of Gondwana. To refine palaeogeographic control we have investigated the palaeomagnetism of a range of Jurassic rocks. Forty‐nine samples of Upper Jurassic limestones preserve a dual polarity remanence (D/I=303/−9°, α₉₅=6°) interpreted as a primary magnetization acquired close to the equator and rotated during emplacement of the Taurides. Result from mid‐Jurassic dolerites confirm a low palaeolatitude for the Tauride Platform during Jurassic times at the Afro–Arabian sector of Gondwana. Approximately 4000 km of Tethyan closure subsequently occurred between Late Jurassic and Eocene times. Although related Upper Jurassic limestones and Liassic redbeds preserve a sporadic record of similar remanence, the dominant signature in these latter rocks is an overprint of probable mid‐Miocene age, probably acquired during a single polarity chron and imparted by migration of a fluid front during nappe loading. This is now rotated consistently anticlockwise by c. 30° and conforms to results of previous studies recording bulk Neogene rotation of the Isparta region following Lycian nappe emplacement. The regional distribution of this overprint implies that the Isparta Angle (IA) has been subject to only small additional closure (<10°) since Late Miocene time. A smaller amount (c. 6°) of clockwise rotation within the IA since Early Pliocene times is associated with an ongoing extensional regime and reflects an expanding curvature of the Tauride arc produced by southwestward extrusion of the Anatolian collage as a result of continuing northward motion of Afro–Arabia. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.