Kinematics of the Havran-Balıkesir Fault Zone and its implication on geodynamic evolution of the Southern Marmara Region, NW Anatolia

Abstract

Cenozoic convergence, collision and subsequent subduction between African and Eurasian plates are accommodating in overriding Eurasian plate both forming the Aegean extension and the North & East Anatolian fault zones. To understand the kinematic evolution of upper crust, here we provide new paleostress data from the Havran-Balıkesir Fault Zone located at the interaction area between the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) and west Anatolian extensional structures. Paleostress reconstructions of fault-slip data reveal that three distinct deformation phases have been experienced in the region. Phase 1 is represented by leftlateral strike-slip faulting with reverse component in the pre-Pliocene period. The Phase 2 is characterized by approximately N-S trending contraction and associated E-W trending extension in Plio-Quaternary, which is spatiotemporally linked to the initiation of NAFZ through the area. The youngest deformation, Phase 3 is attributed to NE-SW trending extension and NW-SE-trending contraction commenced by the Quaternary transpressional tectonics in Southern Marmara Region. These results show that the main contraction axes have been experienced a spectacular anticlockwise rotation (from NW-SE to E-W), which is associated with; (i)the propagation geometry of the NAFZ into the region (ii)slab roll-back and retreat and tearing process on the Aegean subduction system, and (iii)the existence of inherited structures of the İzmir-Balıkesir Transfer Zone.

Late Cenozoic Stress State in Gulf of Güllük and Surroundings, SW Anatolia

“…In the İzmir Balıkesir Transfer Zone, 3 different deformation stages were identified of (i) E/W compression and N/S extension equivalent to the Miocene period, (ii) transitional stage from transtensional regime dominated by strike slip faulting to transtensional regime dominated by expansion in the Early Pliocene period and (iii) transformation to a narrow shear zone fragmenting the İzmir Balıkesir Transfer Zone during a deformation stage when NE/SW right lateral strike slip faults, NW/SE left lateral strike slip faults and E/W striking normal faults operated together (Uzel, Sözbilir, Özkaymak, Kaymakcı & Langereis, 2013). Three different deformation stages were identified for the Havran-Balıkesir Fault Zone; (i) NE/SW-NW/SE extension compression regime in the preMiocene period, (ii) N/S compression and E/W extension regime in the PlioQuaternary and (iii) NE-SW extension and NW/SE compression effective from the Quaternary to the present (Sümer, Uzel, Özkaymak & Sözbilir, 2018). Within the scope of kinematic analysis studies of the Eskişehir Fault and surroundings located in west-central Anatolia, transition from NW/SE compression and NE/SW extension associated with a transpressional regime to NE/SW compression and NW/SE extension related to a transtensional tectonic regime probably occurred in the Quaternary time interval and this regime was proven to continue at present with earthquake focal mechanism solutions (Özden, Gündoğdu & Bekler, 2015).…”

When did the North Anatolian fault reach southern Marmara, Turkey?

“…In the south, the southern branch extends to the Aegean Sea through the Edremit Basin with multiple parallel/subparallel segments (Pazarköy, Eybek, Edremit, Havran and Balıkesir Faults) (Figure 2c). Earthquake activity (Figure S1a) and geomorphological analysis of drainage basins in the vicinity of the study area suggest that the faults are active and form the southernmost member of the NAF strike-slip domain (Yılmaz and Koral 2007, Kürçer et al 2008, 2017, Emre and Doğan 2010, Emre et al 2011a, b, c, Kop et al 2016, Özalp et al 2013, Seyitoğlu et al 2016, Sözbilir et al 2016a,b, Özaksoy et al 2018, Sümer et al 2018. For example, recent paleoseismological studies show that the most of the studied faults (e.g.…”

Recent alluvial fan developments in Muğla (SW Turkey)

“…Roberts et al (2019) found catchment erosion during the intense human land use that decrease forest area, more sediment supply to the Nar Lake in the Central Anatolia. SW Turkey includes several grabens filled by the Neogene to Quaternary deposits (Alçiçek et al 2005;Bozkurt and Mittwede 2005;Sözbilir 2005;Rojay et al 2005;Süzen et al 2006;Alçiçek 2007;Sümer et al 2012;Özkaymak et al 2013;Seyitoğlu and Işık 2015;Sümer et al 2018;Elmas et al 2019). Similar to the Muğla Polje, several settlements were marked on top of the alluvial fan, fluvial deposits such as the Söke town (Sümer et al 2012), Ödemiş, Tire, Kiraz, Bayındır towns (Rojay et al 2005) in north of the Muğla.…”