Karstic depressions on Bolkar Mountain plateau, Central Taurus (Turkey): distribution characteristics and tectonic effect on orientation

Abstract

This study investigates the spatial distribution characteristics of karstic depressions that developed on a 2558 km2 plateau with gently sloping in neritic (reef) limestones in the western section of the Bolkar Mountains. The 30,132 karstic depressions identified are located at elevations between 1315 and 2525 m, while 31°/km2 slope and 5.6 km/km2 drainage density are limited to the spatial distribution of depressions. In the central section of the study area at the anticlinal surface, maximum density (99 depressions/km2) is reached between elevations of 1930 and 2080 m. The orientation of depressions is predominantly NE-SW. However, in the same area, the orientation of depressions also varies from ENE-WSW toward NE-SW from west to east. The left-lateral strike-slip Ecemiş Fault was effective in the formation of these orientations, with a NE-SW orientation close to the fault and ENE-WSW orientation farther away from the fault.