Determination of the dip angles of Karayaka and Gokçe fault planes in Turkey by seismic reflection method

Abstract

Along its track between Samsun and Adana, an oil pipeline was planned to cross two active faults among others: Gokce Fault located at 7 km south of Tokat and Karayaka Fault located at 45 km northeast of Tokat. Geological investigations suggest that both faults reveal reverse fault properties. Determination of the dip angles of the fault planes is crucial in pipeline construction. Fault plane dip angles can be best determined by seismic reflection methods. Although first few metres from the Earth’s surface are important in pipeline construction, few hundred metres of penetration depth are required for reliable fault identifications and fault-parameter computations. Two seismic profiles were accomplished on Gokce and Karayaka faults. Computations based on seismic depth sections obtained in this study reveal that the apparent dip angle of Gokce Fault is 84.6°, and the apparent dip angle of Karayaka Fault is 72.4°.