Kinematics of the Central Taurides during Neotethys closure and collision, the nappes in the Sultan Mountains, Turkey

In the Central Taurides, the Sultan Mountains comprise in ascending order the Çimendere unit and the Ak?ehir, Do?anhisar, Çay nappes composed of metasedimentary sequences deposited from Cambrian to Tertiary. The overthrust of the Çay nappe on the Lutetian Celepta? formation representing the uppermost stratigraphic position in the Çimendere unit indicates that the latest nappe emplacement occurred during the Middle Eocene. The Oligocene and Miocene rocks are in post-tectonic facies in the west Central Taurides. The kinematic data from these nappes related to closure of the Neotethys reveal a top-NE shear sense in the northwest part and a top-SE shear sense in the southeast part of the Sultan Mountains. The Sultan Mountains are located in the north part of the Isparta Angle which was tectonically assembled by the Lycian, Hoyran–Bey?ehir–Hadim and Antalya allochthons on the Bey Da?lar? and Anamas–Akseki autochthons from the Latest Cretaceous to the Late Pliocene. The previous paleomagnetic data showed that the west and east subsections of the Isparta Angle were subjected to post-Eocene 30°–40° anticlockwise and clockwise rotations, respectively. In consideration of these paleomagnetic data, the kinematic data measured in the Sultan Mountains might be restored into approximately E–W-trending linear fabric associated with a top-E shear sense. These new kinematic data from the nappes in the Sultan Mountains disagree with the existing tectonic models that suggest N–S nappe translation over the Central Taurides during the latest Cretaceous–Middle Eocene. The alternative tectonic model for the Antalya nappes in the core of the Isparta Angle related to east–west compression suggests westward and eastward nappe emplacements on the surrounding autochthons. However, the new kinematic data presented here point consistently to a top-E shear sense in all tectonostratigraphic units in the Sultan Mountains currently located in the north part of the Anamas–Akseki autochthon.     

南疆地区经济发展对荒漠化程度的影响研究

荒漠化程度的变化对南疆地区来说是生态系统退化的表现。应用NDVI数据,利用图像处理软件ENVI对南疆地区荒漠化程度进行分析,结果表明： 1952-1983年之间南疆地区荒漠化面积约增长11%,其中重度荒漠化面积约增14.21%左右,而中轻度荒漠化面积增7%~8%。1983-1993年荒漠化保持着基本稳定的状态。在21世纪初,即从2000年、2005年、2010年、2014年4期遥感数据解译分析结果来看, 2000年荒漠化总面积达到96.11×10⁴ km²,约占总面积的90.41%,其中严重荒漠化面积为72.93×10⁴ km²,重度荒漠化面积为15.76×10⁴ km²,中轻度荒漠化面积为7.42×10⁴ km²,到了2014年,荒漠化总面积达到95.31×10⁴ km²,比2000年下降1.24%,但严重中轻度荒漠化土地面积不断发生变化。通过分析发现,荒漠化程度变化主要是人类活动和自然因素共同作用所导致的。     

Evolution of the Palaeotethys in the Eastern Mediterranean: a multi-method approach to unravel the age,provenance and tectonic setting of the Upper Palaeozoic Konya Complex and its Mesozoic cover sequence (south-central Turkey)

ABSTRACT

Siliciclastic sediments from the Upper Palaeozoic Konya Complex and its Mesozoic cover were studied by a multi-method approach combining thin-section petrography, bulk-rock geochemistry, mineral chemistry of rutile, and U–Pb geochronology of detrital zircons. Provenance sensitive data of samples from the Upper Palaeozoic Hal?c? Formation indicate sediment supply from mainly low- to medium-grade metamorphosed sedimentary rocks of felsic character, while the contribution from volcanic rocks was rare. The detrital zircon record of sediments from the Hal?c? Formation documents sediment supply from different sources and excludes a similar provenance. Some samples show great similarities with Palaeozoic sandstones from the cover sequence of the Saharan Metacraton and the Arabian–Nubian Shield, while the other samples indicate a provenance that must be sought in units with a southern Eurasian affinity. The upper limit for sediment deposition in the Hal?c? Formation is mostly constrained by Early Palaeozoic zircon populations; however, sediment accumulation in Pennsylvanian–Cisuralian time is more likely, contemporaneously with the Upper Palaeozoic succession on the Karaburun Peninsula (western Turkey). The provenance of sediments from the Upper Triassic Ard?çl? Formation remains enigmatic, but the source should be sought nonetheless in units close to the depositional site. In any case, detrital zircon age spectra and compositional data exclude recycling of underlying rock units (i.e. Hal?c? Formation). Overall, our new provenance data reveal great similarities between the Konya Complex and comparable units (Chios, Karaburun) but also highlight distinct differences in terms of sediment composition and provenance.     

Tectonic significance of mafic volcanic rocks in a Mesozoic sequence of the Menderes Massif, West Turkey

The Mesozoic platform sequence of the Menderes Massif consists of thick succession of detrital and carbonate rocks. In this sequence there are mafic metavolcanic rocks at two different levels. The first level of mafic metavolcanic intercalations is in the Late Triassic detrital-rich series located in the ÇaltayL Formation, which is the lowermost unit of the Mesozoic platform. The second level of the mafic metavolcanic rocks is located in the Late Cretaceous-(?)Paleocene Selçuk Formation laying on top of the platform sequence. The ÇaltayL Formation, which is composed of mica-schists, thinly-bedded cherts, calc-schist and mafic volcanic intercalations unconformably overlie the BayLndLr Formation, which consists of mica-schists, phyllites, and white quartzites of Palaeozoic or probably older age. The mafic volcanic rocks in the ÇaltayL Formation are alkaline basalts with within plate characteristics and are formed during an intraplate extension. The ÇaltayL Formation is conformably overlain by the KayaaltL Formation represented by calc-schists, dolomitic marbles, and rudist- and emery-bearing massive marbles in ascending order. The Selçuk Formation overlies the KayaaltL Formation and consists of a mica-schist matrix with allochthonous blocks of mafic volcanic rocks, metaperidotites, metagabbros and massive marbles. The mafic volcanic rocks in the Selçuk Formation are tholeiitic basalts and are petrologically similar to mid-oceanic basalts. The geological and geochemical characteristics of the mafic metavolcanic rocks in the ÇaltayL Formation indicate that during the Late Triassic, the Menderes platform was segmented, probably by the opening of a branch of the Neotethyan Ocean. Between the Late Triassic and the Late Cretaceous, the Menderes carbonate platform was built up. During the Latest Cretaceous-Early Paleocene, a slab of oceanic crust obducted on this platform and provided slices of mafic metavolcanic rocks into the Selçuk Formation.     

Palaeotethys-related sediments of the Karaburun Peninsula,western Turkey: constraints on provenance and stratigraphy from detrital zircon geochronology

International Journal of Earth Sciences - Detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology of 15 Late Palaeozoic to Early Mesozoic siliciclastic sandstones from the Karaburun Peninsula in western Turkey...     

Seepage problems in the karstic limestone foundation of the Kalecik Dam (south Turkey)

Seepage phenomena through the karstic limestone foundation of Kalecik Dam are investigated. The dam, designed as a rock-fill dam with a height of 77 m, is already used for irrigation. The foundation consists of Mesozoic ophiolite, Paleocene allochthonous units composed of different lithologies, and Miocene conglomerate. The conglomerate lies unconformably on the other units. Quaternary basaltic lava patchily covers the others. Seepage from upstream to downstream occurs through the allochthonous karstic limestone. This limestone, which is overlain by conglomerates, has a thickness increasing towards the right abutment.

To prevent seepage at the right abutment, a 200-m long and 60-m deep grout curtain along the dam axis was constructed. After the impoundment, some springs occurred downstream, and for this reason, extra grouting was performed. However, the seepage problem could not be solved. In order to determine the seepage direction and karstification pattern, hydrological studies have been done. Additional investigation boreholes have been drilled to observe fluctuations of the groundwater level and to analyze hydrochemistry. Also, dye tracer tests have been carried out.

As a result of these hydrogeological studies, seepage paths were observed in the karstic limestone located between the dam and the spillway. As those carbonate rocks continue beneath the spillway, the seepage problems are enjected to continue.     

Tectonic significance of deformation patterns in granitoid rocks of the Menderes nappes, Anatolide belt, southwest Turkey

Deformation fabrics in Proterozoic/Cambrian granitic rocks of the Çine nappe, and mid-Triassic granites of the Bozdag nappe constrain aspects of the tectonometamorphic evolution of the Menderes nappes of southwest Turkey. Based on intrusive contacts and structural criteria, the Proterozoic/Cambrian granitic rocks of the Çine nappe are subdivided into older orthogneisses and younger metagranites. The deformation history of the granitic rocks documents two major deformation events. An early, pre-Alpine deformation event (D_PA) during amphibolite-facies metamorphism affected only the orthogneisses and produced predominantly top-to-NE shear-sense indicators associated with a NE-trending stretching lineation. The younger metagranites are deformed both by isolated shear zones, and by a major shear zone along the southern boundary of the Çine submassif. We refer to this Alpine deformation event as D_A3. D_A3 shear zones are associated with a N-trending stretching lineation, which formed during greenschist-facies metamorphism. Kinematic indicators associated with this stretching lineation reveal a top-to-south sense of shear. The greenschist-facies shear zones cut the amphibolite-facies structures in the orthogneisses. ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb dating of magmatic zircons from a metagranite, which crosscuts orthogneiss containing amphibolite-facies top-to-NE shear-sense indicators, shows that D_PA occurred before 547.2ǃ.0 Ma. Such an age is corroborated by the observation that mid-Triassic granites of the Çine and Bozdag nappes lack D_PA structures. The younger, top-to-south fabrics formed most likely as a result of top-to-south Alpine nappe stacking during the collision of the Sakarya continent with Anatolia in the Eocene.     

Normal fault displacement dislocating a Roman aqueduct of Ephesos,western Turkey

A 38‐km‐long ancient aqueduct channel that served Roman Ephesos, Turkey was dislocated vertically over 3 m by a single seismic event on a normal fault. A new channel was constructed downstream from the fault in Roman times, next to and partly on top of the original channel. Archaeological investigations and study of carbonate deposits suggest a causative seismic event in the second half of the second century CE, probably in 178 CE, after the original channel had functioned for <35 years. The ?çme Tepe fault was identified as responsible for the displacement and may still constitute a seismic and tsunami hazard for the Turkish west coast, specifically for the city of Ku?adas?. Ancient aqueducts, of which more than 1400 are presently known, are a promising and almost untapped archive for archaeoseismic studies, especially in the Mediterranean area.     

Drainage response to Arabia–Eurasia collision: Insights from provenance examination of the Cyprian Kythrea flysch (Eastern Mediterranean Basin)

The Cenozoic geodynamics of the north‐eastern Mediterranean Basin have been dominated by the subduction of the African Plate under Eurasia. A trench‐parallel crustal‐scale thrust system (Misis–Kyrenia Thrust System) dissects the southern margin of the overriding plate and forms the structural grain and surface expression of northern Cyprus. Late Eocene to Miocene flysch of the Kythrea (De?irmenlik) Group is exposed throughout northern Cyprus, both at the hanging‐wall and foot‐wall of the thrust system, permitting access to an extensive Cenozoic sedimentary record of the basin. We report the results of a combined examination of detrital zircon and rutile U–Pb geochronology (572 concordant ages), coupled with Th/U ratios, Hf isotopic data and quantitative assessment of grain morphology of detrital zircon from four formations (5 samples) from the Kythrea flysch. These data provide a line of independent evidence for the existence of two different sediment transportation systems that discharged detritus into the basin between the late Eocene and late Miocene. Unique characteristics of each transport system are defined and a sediment unmixing calculation is demonstrated and explained. The first system transported almost exclusively North Gondwana‐type, Precambrian‐aged detrital zircon sourced from siliciclastic rock units in southern Anatolia. A different drainage system is revealed by the middle to late Miocene flysch sequence that is dominated by Late Cretaceous–Cenozoic‐aged detrital zircon, whose age range is consistent with the magmatic episodicity of southeast Anatolia, along the Arabia–Eurasia suture zone. Deposition of these late Miocene strata took place thereupon closure of the Tethyan Seaway and African–Eurasian faunal exchange, and overlap in time with a pronounced uplift of eastern Anatolia. Our analytical data indicate the onset of prominent suture‐parallel sediment transport from the collision zone of south‐eastern Anatolia into the Kyrenia Range of northern Cyprus, marking the drainage response to the continental collision between Arabia and Eurasia.