Tectonic evolution of the Gediz Graben: field evidence for an episodic, two-stage extension in western Turkey


Bozkurt E., SÖZBİLİR H.

GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE, vol.141, no.1, pp.63-79, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 141 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1017/s0016756803008379
  • Journal Name: GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.63-79
  • Keywords: continental extension, detachment faults, normal faulting, exhumation, Gediz Graben, Menderes Massif, western Turkey, SOUTHERN MENDERES MASSIF, METAMORPHIC CORE COMPLEX, SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY, BUYUK-MENDERES, NORMAL FAULTS, AEGEAN SEA, SURROUNDING REGIONS, ALASEHIR GRABEN, AUGEN GNEISSES, HELLENIC ARC
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Western Turkey is one of the most spectacular regions of widespread active continental extension in the world. The most prominent structures of this region are E-W-trending grabens (e.g. Gediz and Buyuk Menderes grabens) and intervening horsts, exposing the Menderes Massif. This paper documents the result of a recent field campaign (field geological mapping and structural analysis) along the southern margin of the modern Gediz Graben of Pliocene (similar to 5 Ma) age. This work provides field evidence that the presently low-angle ductile-brittle detachment fault is cut and displaced by the high-angle graben-bounding normal faults with total displacement exceeding 2.0 km. The evolution of the N-S extension along the Gediz Graben occurred during two episodes, each characterized by a distinct structural styles: (1) rapid exhumation of Menderes Massif in the footwall of low-angle normal fault (core-complex mode) during the Miocene; (2) late stretching of crust producing E-W grabens along high-angle normal faults (rift mode) during Pliocene-Quaternary times, separated by a short-time gap. The later phase is characterized by the deposition of now nearly horizontal sediments of Pliocene age in the hanging walls of the high-angle normal faults and present-day graben floor sediments. The evolution of extension is at variance with orogenic collapse and/or back-arc extension followed by the combined effect of tectonic escape and subduction rollback processes along the Aegean-Cyprean subduction zone. Consequently, it is misleading to describe the Miocene sediments exhumed on shoulders of the Gediz Graben as simple graben fill.