Tectonic controls on the Karlıova triple junction (Turkey): Implications for tectonic inversion and the initiation of volcanism

Mechanics of plio-quaternary faulting around the Karliova triple junction: implications for the deformation of Eastern part of the AnatolianScholle

“…The structural elements of the VFZ in nature (or generally all of them within its vicinity) are considered to be part of either a PDZ or a transpressional splay zone (Gürboğa, 2016), or products of a poly-phased tectonic evolution (Karaoğlu et al, 2017). We do not observe any transtensional deformation during any stages of Experiment 3.…”

“…Şengör (1979) and Şengör et al (1985) propose that eastern component of the KTJ, the Varto Fault Zone, is a high convergent zone which have similar structures with the Experiment 1 result. However, nature of the VFZ is not pure thrust fault as described in recent studies (Gürboğa, 2016;Hubert-Ferrari et al, 2009;Karaoğlu et al, 2017;Sançar et al, 2015) In Experiment 2, structures were observed differently from Experiment 1; (a) the vertical relief along the EAFZ, which we match the compressional structures along the it (Figure 4) (b) and the transpressive pop-up structures along the VFZ that is reflect to the nature of the transpressional VFZ (Sançar et al, 2015) The secondary faults that between the NAFZ and EAFZ, only develop in the Experiment 3 ( Figure 11). In accordance with what is seen in the nature (Bahçeli and Toklular faults) (Figure 2), the sense of motion change from strike-slip to oblique normal and then to pure normal slip going from west to the east in Experiment 3 ( Figure 11).…”

“…Therefore, these extensional faults may not indicate any regional transtensional or extensional deformation east of the KTJ, but can represent synchronous (or diachronous) structures of a long-lived compressional deformation. In this case, the normal fault of Karaoğlu et al (2017) can be an extensional structure that is formed within the extensional part of Sançar et al (2015)'s regional strain ellipse and is then rotated for about 20°-25°in a clockwise sense. In conclusion, we suggest that all structures of the VFZ in Experiment 3 or as they are mapped in nature (Sançar et al, 2015) form part of a distributed transpressional system, which experiences continuous oblique shortening since the formation of the KTJ.…”

“…(d) as a result of the migrating Karlıova Triple Junction (Barka et al, 2000;Hubert-Ferrari et al, 2009;Westaway & Arger, 2001). (e) the whole zone developed as a result of distributed continental transpression (Sançar et al, 2015), or (f) The VFZ formed by at least four sub-parallel segments and fault kinematics indicate a range of shortening and extensional regimes (Karaoğlu et al, 2017).…”

“…The discussions on the stationary (Sançar et al, 2015;Şengör, 1979Şengör et al, 1985;Zabcı, Sançar, Akyüz, & Kıyak, 2015a) or migrating (Barka & Gülen, 1988;Hubert-Ferrari et al, 2009;Westaway & Arger, 2001;Westaway, Demir, & Seyrek, 2008) nature of the continental KTJ and the surrounding structural complexity make this region of particular interest. Although recent publications discuss the faulting around the VFZ in details, to the east of the KTJ, (Gürboğa, 2016;Hubert-Ferrari et al, 2009;Karaoğlu, Selçuk, & Gudmundsson, 2017;Sançar et al, 2015) and propose different faulting mechanisms, they provide less information on the distribution of faults and their mechanics for the region west of around the KTJ (Gürboğa, 2016;Hubert-Ferrari, Armijo, King, Meyer, & Barka, 2002;Karaoğlu et al, 2017;Tutkun & Hancock, 1990).…”