Structural Evolution of the Tuzgölü Basin in Central Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

The Central Anatolian segment of the Alpine-Himalayan orogen contains "interior" basins, the largest of which is the Tuzgölü (Salt Lake) basin (>20,000 km2). It is bounded on the east by the Tuzgölü (Salt Lake) fault zone and on the west by the Yeniceoba and Cihanbeyli fault zones. Structural, stratigraphic, and sedimentologic evidence suggests that the Tuzgölü basin started as a fault-controlled basin during late Maastrichtian tectonism when the present-day northwest-trending faults that bound the basin were initiated. These faults may have been formed as normal faults suggesting extension or strike-slip faults with a normal component of movement indicating a large transtension at the time of their initiation. The late Maastrichtian faults were reactivated as strike-slip faults in response to late Eocene compression in the region that produced the Central Anatolian thrust belt to the north and the late Eocene south-dipping thrust faults of the Ulukisla basin to the south. This reactivation is suggested by structurally repeated and missing Paleocene-Eocene deposits in some of the basin's wildcat wells. The late Eocene regression in the Tuzgölü basin was caused by the combined effects of Eocene shortening and a large environmental change. Late Eocene evaporites suggest that the basin was dry before the start of the Neotectonic period, while during the Neotectonic itself the Tuzgölü fault zone was reactivated again, predominantly as a normal fault with a right-lateral strike-slip component. This is evidenced by (1) a major unconformity between the post-Eocene Koçhisar Formation of the Tuzgölü basin and the underlying Eocene rock units; (2) a well-developed rollover anticline observed on seismic reflection profiles; and (3) a right-step along the Tuzgölü fault zone seen in the field.

The role of oroclinal bending in the structural evolution of the Central Anatolian Plateau: evidence of a regional changeover from shortening to extension

“…Furthermore, the previous models proposed normal faulting or strike-slip faulting with a normal component of movement, suggesting a large component of transtension for the YFZ. However, our results indicate dextral strike-slip faulting during the first stage of GEOLOGICA CARPATHICA GEOLOGICA CARPATHICA GEOLOGICA CARPATHICA GEOLOGICA CARPATHICA, 2011, 62, 4, 345-359 sion, shallow marine carbonates were deposited in the centre of the basin, while terrestrial sedimentation continued at the edges Çemen et al 1999;Dirik & Erol 2003) (Fig. 11a -see on the previous page).…”

“…1). The Tuzgölü Fault Zone bounds the eastern margin of the extensional Tuzgölü Basin (Ar1kan 1975;engör et al 1985;Çemen et al 1999;Dirik & Erol 2003). This zone is cut by the Central Anatolian Fault System to the south of the city of Nigde.…”

“…Our results are at odds with previously suggested evolutionary models. In these models, the YFZ and CFZ constitute the western boundary faults of the Tuzgölü Basin formed during the Late Cretaceous (Erol 1969;Ar1kan 1975;Görür & Derman 1978;Ünalan & Yüksel 1978;Çemen & Dirik 1992;Çemen et al 1997;Çemen et al 1999;Dirik & Erol 2003). As the YFZ is the only fault zone representing a twostage deformation, the CFZ cannot be the principal boundary fault for the western part of the basin.…”

Hydrogeological Features of The Gökgöl Lake (Kulu, Konya-Central Anatolia)

“…Gökgöl plateau is 57.23 km 2 .It has the area that includes all water wells in. In this area especially in the summer semester covering the study period, the consumption of the total wells is 67.51 l/s specified flow rate q=1,092 l/s km 2 .Therefore the height of the wells in Gökgöl plateau h=31.5576* q=31.5576* 1.092=34.47 mm.…”

“…Olistholits which are located in these units that are aquifuge, they have gained permeable speciality because of the fractured feature. Although Karadağ volcanits partially have the containing of water they have impermeable characters [1,2,3,4].…”