Skip to main content

Advertisement

Earth, Planets and Space
Earth, Planets and Space Cover Image

Kinematics of the East Anatolian Fault Zone between Turkoglu (Kahramanmaras) and Celikhan (Adiyaman), eastern Turkey

Earth, Planets and Space volume 58, pages1463–1473(2006)Cite this article

Article metrics

  • 491 Accesses

  • 12 Citations

Abstract

In this study we determined the stress regime acting along the East Anatolian Fault Zone between Turkoglu (Kahramanmaras) and Celikhan (Adiyaman), from the Neocene to present-day, based on the inversion of striations measured on faults and on the focal mechanisms of earthquakes having magnitudes greater than 5.0. The inversions yield a strike-slip stress regime with a reverse component (i.e., transpression) operative in the Neocene to present with a consistent N-to NW-trending σ1 axis 156 ± 11° and an E- to NE-trending σ3 axis, 67 ± 9°σ3, producing left-lateral motion along the East Anatolian Fault Zone. The inversions of focal mechanisms yield a strike-slip stress deviator characterized by an approximately N-S (N89°W)-trending σ1 and an approximately E-W (N89°E)-trending σ3 axis. Both the kinematic analysis and structural observations indicate that the stress regime operating in the study area has had a transpressional character, giving rise to the Mio-Pliocene compressive structures (reverse faults, thrusts and folds) observed in the study area. Field observations allow estimation of a Pliocene age for the strike-slip East Anatolian Fault Zone.

References

  1. Allen, C. R., Active faulting in northern Turkey, Division of Geological Science, Calif. Inst. Technol. Contrib., 1577, 32, 1969.

  2. Ambraseys, N. N., Some characteristic features of the Anatolian fault zone, Tectonophysics, 9, 143–165, 1970.

  3. Ambraseys, N. N., Temporary seismic quiescence: SE Turkey, Geophys. J., 96, 311–331, 1989.

  4. Ambraseys, N. N. and C. P. Melville, Historical evidence of faulting in eastern Anatolia and northern Syria, Ann. Geophys., 38, 337–344, 1995.

  5. Ambraseys, N. N. and J. A. Jackson, Faulting associated with historical and recent earthquakes in the eastern Mediterranean region, Geophys. J. Int., 133, 390–406, 1998.

  6. Ambraseys, N. N. and M. Barazangi, The 1759 earthquake in the Bekaa Valley: implications for earthquake hazard assessment in the eastern Mediterranean region, J. Geophys. Res., 94, 4007–4013, 1989.

  7. Angelier, J., Tectonic analysis of fault slip data sets, J. Geophys. Res., 89, 5835–5848, 1984.

  8. Angelier, J., Inversion of earthquake focal mechanisms to obtain the seismotectonic stress IV—a new method free of choice among nodal planes, Geophy. J. Int., 150(3), 588–609, 2002.

  9. Angelier, J., J. F. Dumont, H. Karamanderesi, A. Poisson, S. Simsek, and S. Uysal, Analysis of mechanisms and expansion of south-western Anatolia since the Late Miocene, Tectonophysics, 75, T1–T9, 1981.

  10. Arpat, E. and F. Saroglu, The East Anatolian fault system: thoughts on its development, M.T.A. Bull., 78, 33–39, 1972.

  11. Arpat, E. and F. Saroglu, Turkiye’deki bazi onemli genc tektonik olaylar, Bull. Geol. Soc. Turkey, 18/1, 91–101, 1975.

  12. Barka, A. A. and K. Kadinsky-Cade, Strike-slip fault geometry in Turkey and its fluence on earthquake activity, Tectonics, 7/3, 663–684, 1988.

  13. Bellier, O. and M. Zoback, Recent state of stress change in the Walker Lane zone western basin and Range Province-USA, Tectonics, 14, 564–593, 1995.

  14. Bellier, O., S. Over, A. Poisson, and J. Andrieux, Recent temporal change in the stress state and modern stress field along North Anatolian Fault Zone (Turkey), Geophys. J. Int., 131, 61–86, 1997.

  15. Bilgic, T., 1/ 500 000 Scale geological map of Turkey, Sivas sheet, MTA, Ankara, 2002.

  16. Bott, M. H. P., The mechanism of oblique slip faulting, Geol. Mag., 96, 109–117, 1959.

  17. Buyukasikoglu, S., Sismolojik verilere gore dogu akdenizin kuzeyinde ve guneydogu Anadolu’da Avrasya-Afrika levha sinirlarinin ozellikleri, Bull. Earthquake Res. Inst. (Ministry of Reconstruction and Resettlement), 29, 58–74, 1980 (in Turkish).

  18. Carey, E., Recherche des directions principales de contraintes associées au jeu d’une population de failles, Rev. Geol. Dynam. Geog. Phys., 21, 57–66, 1979.

  19. Carey-Gailhardis, E. and J. L. Mercier, A numerical method for determining the state of stress using focal mechanisms of earthquake populations, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 82, 165–179, 1987.

  20. Cetin, H., H. Guneyli, and L. Mayer, Paleoseismology of the Palu-Lake Hazar segment of the East Anatolian Fault Zone, Turkey, Tectonophysics, 374, 163–197, 2003.

  21. Chorowicz, J., P. Luxey, N. Lybéris, J. Carvalho, J. F. Parrot, T. Yurur, and N. Gundogdu, The Maras Triple Junction (southern Turkey) based on digital elevation model and satellite imagery interpretation, J. Geophys. Res., 99, 20225–20242, 1994.

  22. Chorowicz, J., D. Dhont, and N. Gundogdu, Neotectonics in the eastern North Anatolian Fault region (Turkey) advocates crustal extension: mapping from SAR ERS imagery and Digital Elevation Model, J. Struct. Geol., 21, 511–532, 1999.

  23. Dewey, J. F. and A. M. C. Sengor, Aegean and surrounding regions: complex multi-plate and continuum tectonics in a convergent zone, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 90, 84–92, 1979.

  24. Dewey, J. F., M. R. Hempton, W. S. F. Kidd, F. Saroglu, and A. M. C. Sengor, Shortening of continental lithosphere: the neotectonics of Eastern Anatolia—a young collision zone, in Collision Tectonics, edited by M. P. Coward and A. C. Ries, Geol. Soc. London Sp. Pub., 19, 3–36, 1986.

  25. Ergin, K., U. Guclu, and Z. Uz, A catalogue of earthquakes for Turkey and surrounding area (11AD to 1964AD), Tech. Univ. Mining Eng. Fac. Publ., 24, 189, 1967.

  26. Gephart, J. W. and D. W. Forsyth, An improved method for determining the regional stress tensor using earthquake focal mechanism data: an application to the San Fernando earthquake sequence, J. Geophys. Res., 89, 9305–9320, 1984.

  27. Hempton, M. R., Constraints on Arabian plate motion and extensional history of the Red Sea, Tectonics, 6, 687–705, 1987.

  28. Hempton, M. R., J. F. Dewey, and F. Saroglu, The East Anatolian transform fault: along strike variations in geometry and behavior, EOS Trans., 62, 393, 1981.

  29. Imamoglu, M. S., Golbasi (Adiyaman)-Pazarcik-Narli (K. Maras) arasindaki sahada Dogu Anadolu Fayi’nin neotektonik incelemesi. Doktora Tezi, A.U. Fen Bilimleri Enstitusu Jeoloji Muh. Anabilim Dali, Ankara, 137 pp., 1993.

  30. Jackson, J. and D. P. McKenzie, Active tectonics of the Alpine-Himalayan belt between western Turkey and Pakistan, Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc., 77, 185–264, 1984.

  31. Jackson, J. and D. P. McKenzie, The relationship between plate motion and seismic moment tensors, and the rates of active deformation in the Mediterranean and Middle-East, Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc., 93, 45–73, 1988.

  32. Karig, D. E. and H. Kozlu, Late Paleogene-Neogene evolution of the triple junction region near Maras, south-central Turkey, J. Geol. Soc. London, 147, 1023–1034, 1990.

  33. Kempler, D. and Z. Garfunkel, Structures and kinematics in the northeastern Mediterranean: a study of an irregular plate boundary, Tectonophysics, 234, 19–32, 1994.

  34. Keskin, M., Magma generation by slab steepening and breakoff beneath a subduction-accretion complex: an alternative model for collision-related volcanism in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30/24, 8046, 2003.

  35. Lyberis, N., T. Yurur, J. Chorowicz, E. Kasapoglu, and N. Gundogdu, The East Anatolian Fault: an oblique collisional belt, Tectonophysics, 204, 1–15, 1992.

  36. McClusky, S., S. Balassanian, A. Barka, C. Demir, S. Ergintav, İ. Georgiev, O. Gurkan, M. Hamburger, K. Hurst, H. Kahle, K. Kastens, G. Kekelidze, R. King, V. Kotzev, O. Lenk, S. Mahmoud, A. Mishin, M. Nadariya, A. Ouzounis, D. Paradissis, Y. Peter, M. Prilepin, R. Reilinger, I. Sanli, H. Seeger, A. Tealeb, M. N. Toksoz, and G. Veis, Global Positioning System constraints on plate kinematics and dynamics in the eastern Mediterranean and Caucasus, J. Geophys. Res., 105(B3), 5695–5719, 2000.

  37. McKenzie, D. P., Active tectonics of the Mediterranean Region, Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc., 30, 109–185, 1972.

  38. Mercier, J. L., D. Sorel, and P. Vergely, Extensional tectonic regimes in the Aegean basins during the Cenozoic, Basin Res., 2, 49–71, 1989.

  39. Mercier, J. L., E. Carey-Gailhardis, and M. Sébrier, Paleostress determinations from fault kinematics: application to the neotectonics of the Himalayas-Tibet and the Central Andes, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A, 337, 41–52, 1991.

  40. Nalbant, S. S., J. McCloskey, S. Steacy, and A. A. Barka, Stress acumulation and increased seismic risk in eastern Turkey, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 195, 291–298, 2002.

  41. Orgulu, G., M. Aktar, N. Turkelli, E. Sandvol, and M. Barazangi, Contribution to the seismotectonics of the Eastern Anatolian Plateau from moderate and small size events, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30/24, 8040, 2003.

  42. Over, S., O. Bellier, A. Poisson, and J. Andrieux, Late Cenozoic stress state changes along the central North Anatolian Fault zone (Turkey), Ann. Tectonicae, XI, 1–2, 75–101, 1997.

  43. Over, S., U. C. Unlugenc, and O. Bellier, Quaternary stress regime change in the Hatay region (SE Turkey), Geophys. J. Int., 148, 1–14, 2002.

  44. Over, S., S. Ozden, and H. Yilmaz, Late Cenozoic stress evolution along the Karasu Valley, SE Turkey, Tectonophysics, 380, 43–68, 2004a.

  45. Over, S., S. Ozden, U. C. Unlugenc, and H. Yilmaz, A synthesis Late Cenozoic stress field distribution at northeastern corner of the eastern Mediterranean, SE Turkey, C.R. Geoscience, 336, 93–103, 2004b.

  46. Over, S., K. S. Kavak, O. Bellier, and S. Ozden, Is the Amik Basin (SE-Turkey) a Triple Junction Area? Analyses of SPOT XS Imagery and Seismicity, Int. J. Remote Sensing, 25/19, 3857–3872, 2004c.

  47. Ozden, S., S. Over, and U. C. Unlugenc, Quaternary stress regime change along the eastern North Anatolian Fault Zone, Turkey, Int. Geol. Review, 44/11, 1037–1052, 2002.

  48. Perincek, D. and I. Cemen, The structural relationship between the East Anatolian Fault and Dead Sea Fault zones in southern Turkey, Tectonophysics, 172, 331–340, 1990.

  49. Poirier, J. P. and M. A. Taher, Historical seismicity in the Near and Middle East, North Africa and Spain from Arabic documents, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am., 70, 2185–2201, 1980.

  50. Reilinger, R. E., S. C. McClusky, M. B. Oral, R. W. King, M. N. Toksoz, A. A. Barka, I. Kinik, O. Lenk, and I. Sanli, Global Positioning System measurements of present-day crustal movements in the Arabia-Africa-Eurasia plate collision zone, J. Geophys. Res.-Solid Earth, 102(B5), 9983–9999, 1997.

  51. Robertson, A. H. F., S. Eaton, E. J. Follows, and J. E. McCullum, The role of local tectonics versus global sea-level change in the Neogene evolution of the Cyprus active margin, Spec. Publ. Int. Ass. Sediment, 12, 331–369, 1991.

  52. Sandvol, E., N. Turkelli, and M. Barazangi, The Eastern Turkey Seismic Experiment: The study of a young continent-continent collision, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30/24, 8038, 2003.

  53. Saroglu, F., O. Emre, and A. Boray, Turkiye’nin diri faylari ve depremsellikleri, Min. Res. Expl. Inst. Turkey Rept. No. 8174, 1987.

  54. Saroglu, F., O. Emre, and I. Kuscu, The East Anatolian fault zone of Turkey, Ann. Tectonicae, VI, 99–125, 1992.

  55. Sebrier, M., J. L. Mercier, J. Macharé, D. Bonnot, J. Cabrera, and J. L. Blanc, The state of stress in an overridding plate situated above a flat slab: the Andes of central Peru, Tectonics, 7, 895–928, 1988.

  56. Sengor, A. M. C., Northern Anatolian fault: Its age offset and tectonic significance, J. Geol. Soc. London, 136, 269–282, 1979.

  57. Sengor, A. M. C. and Y. Yilmaz, Tethyan evolution of Turkey. A plate tectonic approach, Tectonophysics, 75, 181–241, 1981.

  58. Sengor, A. M. C., N. Gorur, and F. Saroglu, Strike-slip faulting and related basin formation in zones of tectonic escape: Turkey as a case study, in Strike-slip Deformation, Basin Formation and Sedimentation, edited by K. T. Biddle and N. Christie-Blick, Soc. Econ. Paleont. Mineral. Tulsa, Sp. Publ. 37, 227–264, 1985.

  59. Seymen, I. and A. Aydin, Bingol deprem fayi ve bunun Kuzey Anadolu Fayi ile iliskisi, M.T.A. Bull., 79, 33–39, 1972.

  60. Sieberg, A., Erdbebengeographic, in Handbuch der Geophysic, edited by B. Gutenberg, Bands IV, Borntrager, Berlin, pp. 527–1005, 1932.

  61. Soysal, H., S. Sipahioglu, D. Kolcak, and Y. Altinok, Turkiye Tarihsel Deprem Katalogu, TUBITAK Proje No. TBAG-341, 1981.

  62. Taymaz, T., H. Eyidogan, and J. Jackson, Source parameters of large earthquakes in the East Anatolian Fault Zone (Turkey), Geophys. J. Int., 106/3, 537–550, 1991.

  63. Turkelli, N., E. Sandvol, E. Zor, R. Gok, T. Bekler, A. Al-Lazki, H. Karabulut, S. Kuleli, T. Eken, C. Gurbuz, S. Bayraktutan, D. Seber, and M. Barazangi, Seismogenic zones in eastern Turkey, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30/24, 8039, 2003.

  64. Ulu, U., 1/500,000 Scale geological map of Turkey, Hatay sheet, MTA, Ankara, 2002.

  65. Vasseur, G., A. Etchecopar, and H. Philip, Stress state inferred from multiple focal mechanisms, Ann. Geophys., 1, 291–298, 1983.

  66. Westaway, R., Kinematics of the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean updated, Turkish J. Earth Sci., 12, 5–46, 2003.

  67. Westaway, R. and J. Arger, Kinematics of the Malatya-Ovacik fault zone. Third International Turkish Geology Symposium, METU-Ankara, Abstracts, 197, 1998.

  68. Willis, B., Earthquakes in the Holy Land, Bull. Seism. Soc. America, 18, 73–103, 1928.

  69. Yalcin, N., Dogu Anadolu Yarilimi’nin Turkoglu Karaagac (K. Maras) arasindaki kesiminin ozellikleri ve bolgedeki yerlesme alanlari, Turk. Jeoloji Kurumu Altinli Sempozyumu, 19–56, 1979.

  70. Yazgan, E. and R. Chessex, Geology and tectonic evolution of the southeastern Taurides in the region of Malatya, TAPG Bull., 3/1, 1–42, 1991.

  71. Yilmaz, Y., Allochthonous terranes in the Tethyan Middle East: Anatolia and the surroundings regions, R. Soc. Lond. Philos. Transact, A331, 611–624, 1990.

  72. Yilmaz, Y., New evidence and model on the evolution of the southeast Anatolian orogeny, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 105, 251–271, 1993.

  73. Yilmaz, Y., O. Gurpinar, H. Kozlu, M. A. Gul, E. Yigitbas, M. Yildirim, C. Genc, and M. Keskin, Maras kuzeyinin jeolojisi (Andirin-Berit-Engizek-Nurhak-Binboga Daglari), Turk, Petrolleri Anonim Ortakligi Rapor No. 2028/2, 218 pp., 1987.

  74. Yurur, T. and J. Chorowicz, Recent volcanism, tectonics and plate kinematics near the junction of African, Arabian and Anatolian plates in the eastern Mediterranean, J. Volcanol. Geothermal Res., 85, 1–15, 1998.

  75. Zanchi, A. and J. Angelier, Seismotectonics of western Anatolia: regional stress orientation from geophysical and geological data, Tectonophysics, 222, 259–274, 1993.

  76. Zor, E., E. Sandvol, C. Gurbuz, N. Turkelli, D. Seber, and M. Barazangi, The crustal structure of the East Anatolian plateau (Turkey) from receiver functions, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30/24, 8044, 7.1-4, 2003.

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Geophysics, Cumhuriyet University, 58140, Sivas, Turkey

    • Huseyin Yilmaz

  2. Department of Geophysics, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey

    • Semir Over

  3. Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Terzioglu Campus, Department of Geology, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17020, Canakkale, Turkey

    • Suha Ozden

Authors

  1. Search for Huseyin Yilmaz in:

  2. Search for Semir Over in:

  3. Search for Suha Ozden in:

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Huseyin Yilmaz.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yilmaz, H., Over, S. & Ozden, S. Kinematics of the East Anatolian Fault Zone between Turkoglu (Kahramanmaras) and Celikhan (Adiyaman), eastern Turkey. Earth Planet Sp 58, 1463–1473 (2006) doi:10.1186/BF03352645

Download citation

Key words

  • Anatolia
  • East Anatolian Fault
  • stress state
  • earthquake
  • fault-slip inversion