Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES, cilt.85, sa.1, ss.12, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
The usability of rocks as dimension stones is influenced by several geological parameters, including the reserve, material properties, block size, quarry production efficiency, factory production efficiency, and the color-pattern characteristics of the rock mass. The initial preparation costs are particularly high in dimension stone quarries. Numerous dimension stone quarries are prematurely abandoned as a result of inadequate geological investigations conducted before production. This not only results in economic loss but also unnecessary destruction of nature. Consequently, an assessment of the rock mass characteristics and material properties is a critical factor to consider prior to initiating quarry operations. This study aims to identify the geological parameters influencing the production of dimension stone in Manisa limestone. In this context, detailed field observations were conducted on the bench faces and on the abandoned stone blocks in the waste disposal areas of 15 quarries (7 active and 8 abandoned) located in Manisa region. According to the findings of the geological studies conducted at the quarries, it was determined that the most important primary geological parameters affecting the dimension stone production are discontinuities; secondary geological parameters were determined as brecciation, cherts, autobrecciation, fossil presence, Neptunian dyke infillings, onyx zones, color changes, stylolites, weathering along discontinuity, and black dots. Results of the scan-line surveys shows that the mean discontinuity spacing of the discontinuity planes is wider than 1 m and the volumetric joint count (Jv) value is lower than 1.35 joint/m3 of the working quarries.