Analyses of Seismic Deformation at the Kibyra Roman Stadium,Southwest Turkey

The ancient city of Kibyra in southwest Turkey has the potential to reveal the location and date of historical earthquakes. The most compelling evidence for earthquake faulting is observed in the city's Roman stadium. Damage related to seismic shaking is characterized by systematically collapsed columns, dilated and collapsed walls, and by rotated and displaced blocks in the stadium. Detailed archaeoseismological observations suggest that Kibyra was affected by earthquakes that were also recorded in historical earthquake catalogs. Although there is no historical record of a large earthquake after the 5th century A.D., Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of deposits under the collapsed blocks suggests a later seismic event. OSL results indicate that another large event occurred in southwest Turkey, probably around the 10–11th century A.D., and caused extensive damage (I_o = VIII‐IX) to the Kibyra stadium.     

Monitoring deformations on engineering structures in Kozlu Hard Coal Basin

Underground coal mining activities in Kozlu Hard Coal Basin have reached a level affecting ground layers inside the mining seams and the surface just above the mining operations, causing movements in vicinity of the basin. The movements emerge as collapsing in vertical direction and as sliding, curling and bending in horizontal direction and are termed mining subsidence since they exhibit themselves in ground layers and on earth surfaces in mining environments. These mining-induced movements cause damages and destructions on structures inside and on the surface of mining grounds, and the dimensions of these damages depend upon quality of structures and magnitude of movements. In order to contribute toward a solution to these problems and to mitigate the effects arising during and after mining activities, one should identify and investigate damage prone movements and determine the movement–time relationship. Therefore, it is immensely important to observe, investigate, and measure these movements in regions where mining activities take place. This study focuses on the surface movement-related deformations on the engineering structures in the basin such as Kozlu Seaport and some part of the Zonguldak-Kozlu Road. For this reason, subsidence monitoring points were established on the engineering structures in the basin in a geodetic network concept, and three periods of precise leveling and static GPS observations were conducted. Analyzing these two types of geodetic observations, active and residual subsidence effects were determined for both Kozlu Seaport and the Road nearby.     

Reply to Comment on “Analyses of Seismic Deformation at the Kibyra Roman Stadium,Southwest Turkey”

In their comment, Elitez and Yaltırak (2013) criticize our paper (Karabacak et al. 2013 ) by arguing that it contains misinterpretations and unreliable data for a fault cutting the Roman Stadium in the ancient city of Kibyra. However their comments are not based on strong arguments to disprove our geological and archeological field observations or previous data. Here we present additional data supported by new figures which validate the faulting both in the bedrock and in the stadium floor. We reject their comments and uphold our original viewpoint on the faulting at the Stadium.     

Effect of Construction Material on Dam Type Selection of the Büyük Karaçay Dam (Hatay, Turkey)

This paper covers the investigation of construction materials and selection of the dam type for the Büyük Karaçay Dam, which was planned to be constructed on Büyük Karaçay River 20 km to the SW of Hatay (Southern Turkey). The purposes of the dam are irrigation, domestic water supply, and producing energy. Auxiliary structures locations have been determined during the study of detailed geological maps of the dam axis and reservoir area. Quality, quantity and hauling distance of natural construction materials were effective to select different dam types. For engineering geological studies exploration boreholes were drilled at the dam site; pressuremeter tests were performed in order to determine bearing capacity and elasticity properties of rocks; pressured water tests were also performed to determine permeability of the dam site. Moreover, physical and mechanical properties of rocks were determined by the laboratory test. In the feasibility stage, the dam type was chosen as the central core rock-fill dam, depending on state of natural construction materials. In design stage dam type was changed as faced symmetrical hardfill dam. Finally, the dam type was revised again during the design stage as concrete face rockfill dam.     

Effects of mining subsidence on masonry buildings in Zonguldak hard coal region in Turkey

Gallerias are the underground constructed results of mining. As these space in underground layers collapse, horizontal and vertical ground movements occur and movement which may reach the earth’s surface are known as mining subsidence. The result of underground displacement may cause surface ground movement which can be detrimental to masonry buildings especially in hard coal regions. Thorough familiarity with general and regional characteristics of an affected area can assist reduction of the effects. Zonguldak and the nearby settlement area, with a population of 300,000, constitute the centre of a hard coal basin where extensive mining has a history extending through 160 years. Mining constitutes the main economic activity in this region, and consequently influences every aspect of life. This study’s intent is to identify the effects of mining subsidence on masonry buildings in the mining area of Kozlu, Zonguldak, Turkey and illustrate them with selected images of damaged masonry buildings. Also included are satellite and mining galleria images.     

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.     

Assessment of Risks Relevant to Underground Measurements for Coal Mining Production and Exploration

Natural Resources Research - In underground mining establishments and in all processes of underground coal mining from investigation activities to production activities, geodetic measurements and...