Sub-basalt imaging in the Southeast Anatolian Orogenic Belt using 3D magnetotellurics
GEOPHYSICS, cilt.91, sa.5, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 91 Sayı: 5
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1190/geo-2025-1351
- Dergi Adı: GEOPHYSICS
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, Geobase, INSPEC
- Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The Southeast Anatolian Orogenic Belt, including the Bitlis-Zagros fold-and-thrust system, is a major collisional domain formed by intense compressional tectonics. In this setting, the Karacada & gbreve; Volcanic Complex, the largest basaltic province in the region, overlies deformed Mesozoic-Cenozoic successions, and masks potential hydrocarbon-bearing strata. To image the concealed subsurface, broadband magnetotelluric (MT) data from 63 sites were used to construct the first 3D resistivity model of the area. The model delineated the resistivity distribution associated with the main lithological units and identified thick (approximately 3 km) sedimentary sequences beneath a highly resistive volcanic cover. The low-resistivity (<10 Omega & centerdot;m) Lower Maastrichtian Kastel Formation likely acted as a regional cap rock, whereas the moderately resistive Aptian-Cenomanian Mardin Group carbonates, overlying the organic-rich Silurian-Lower Devonian Dada & scedil; Formation, represented potential reservoir units. The resistivity distribution exhibited gently varying resistivity geometries compatible with fold-and-thrust-related deformation, which could have favored the development of structural closures. This study highlighted the effectiveness of 3D MT inversion for imaging sedimentary architectures beneath volcanic cover and demonstrated its value as an exploration tool in fold-and-thrust and volcanic-dominated settings where seismic methods are limited.