Evolution of a tertiary volcanogenic trough in SW Turkey — The Alakaya basins of the Lycien belt

Abstract

Field study of several stratigraphic sections from allochthonous thrust fault slices of SW Turkey reveal that a deeply subsiding volcanogenic trough, the Alakaya basin existed during Paleocene-Middle Eocene times along the Lycian belt. The Alakaya basin was located along a tectonically active zone of weakness between two relatively stable tectonic terrains, the Menderes massif to the northwest and the Beydaglari continental platform to the southeast. The basin was underlain by continental substratum. All known outcrops of the Alakaya sediments overlie platform carbonates of Cretaceous age that correlate with the Beydaglari shelf sediments. The generation of the volcanogenic Alakaya basin reflects a tensional period that culminated in Middle Eocene when basic volcanic activity took place. The tensional stage was replaced by a compressional regime in Late Eocene and large scale overthrust faulting took place. The Alakaya basin was closed when the Tefenni nappe from the north was emplaced on its sediments in Late Eocene. The Alakaya sediments overlying the Tefenni nappe and underlying the Cretaceous platform carbonates moved southeastward over a hundred kilometers onto the autochthonous sediments of the Beydaglari terrain in Miocene time. The Alakaya basin is analogous to the Maden basin of SE Turkey thrust fault belt. Both basins were located along tectonically active belts. The main stage of basin subsidence and volcanism was in Middle Eocene. Closure of both basins by large scale thrust faulting was in Late Eocene. The creation and destruction of the volcanogenic Alakaya basin may be related to the regional adjustments in plate motions in Paleocene-Eocene times.