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 km 2plateauwith gently sloping in neritic (reef ) limestones in the western section of the Bolkar Mountains. The 30,132 karstic depressions identifiedare located at elevations between 1315 and 2525 m, while 31°/km 2slope and 5.6 km/km 2drainage density are limited to the spatialdistribution of depressions. In the central section of the study area at the anticlinal surface, maximum density (99 depressions/km 2 ) isreached 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 Faultwas effective in the formation of these orientations, with a NE SW orientation close to the fault and ENE WSW orientation fartheraway from the fault.