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The Cenozoic evolution of the strike-slip Ecemis fault zone and its implications for the mechanism of the tectonic escape in Anatolia

The mechanism by which crustal extrusion, or 'tectonic escape' functions remains poorly understood. Central Anatolia provides an example of extrusion where the kinematics of 'escape' - related strike-slip faults can be well-constrained. This study focuses on the Ecemis Fault Zone, one of the main strike-slip fault systems involved in the Cenozoic westward extrusion of Anatolia. This study concentrates on the structure, sedimentology, geomorphology and subsidence history of the EFZ, to constrain the timing and offset on this fault zone, and thereby build a more comprehensive model of extrusion of the context of the regional geology. Sedimentological data from Lutetian (Mid-Eocene) outcrops indicate that significant strike-slip occurred on the EFZ since the Mid-Eocene. Palaeocurrent and facies data establish that an inward-draining depocentre existed in the central EFZ during Late Oligocene - Early Miocene time, contemporaneously with regional crustal extension and unroofing of the nearby Nigde Core Complex. Sedimentological studies show that the present-day fault scarps of the EFZ were established during the latest Miocene - Early Pliocene, synchronous with the initiation of Anatolian extrusion. Subsidence curves indicate that the Late Oligocene - Early Miocene was a period of rapid subsidence rates in the Adana region (north of the Taurus Mountains) and that subsidence was more rapid in the EFZ area than in surrounding Cenozoic basins during this period. Rapid subsidence in the EFZ may have been associated with the formation of a pull-apart basin the location of the EFZ. Slikenline data analysis indicate that the EFZ was undergoing sinistral trans-tension by at least Mid-Miocene time, and that this changed to dominantly E-W extension during the Quaternary. Slikenline data from the Camardi area (northern EFZ) indicate that limited sinistral strike-slip has also occurred during the Quaternary, focused on a N-S striking small graben.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:652925
Date January 2001
CreatorsJaffrey, N.
PublisherUniversity of Edinburgh
Source SetsEthos UK
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation

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