Determination of structural characteristics of Tuzgölü Fault Zone using gravity and magnetic methods, Central Anatolia

Abstract

The anomaly maps and amplitude and wavelength changes of the anomalies obtained from gravityand magnetic methods can provide to identify fault traces in the underground. The Tuzgölü FaultZone (TFZ), the NW-SE striking active fault zone in central Anatolia, includes fault strands that cutthe basement and basin deposits. Our magnetic and gravity analysis suggests that Tuzgölü Basinand its surroundings are characterized by distinct depression and ridge areas. Gravity anomaly datashow the presence of faults at depths of sea level (0 m), -1000 m, -2000 m, -3000 m, and -4000 m.These faults are mostly normal and reverse faults, as well as the lesser amount of vertical faults(high-angle normal/reverse faults) with NW-SE, N-S, and NE-SW-striking. The normal faults areof the structural development and the deposition of the Tuzgölü Basin units, which occurred lateCretaceous-Middle Eocene and Early Miocene-Quaternary Periods. The reverse faults originatedfrom the result of the regional-scale compressional regime during Middle Eocene-Late Oligocene/Early Miocene based on the fault dating data from the literature. The active TFZ, including severalfault strands, are relatively younger faults in the region that have initiated to develop during faultingevents from after Middle Miocene or Early Pliocene.