Abstract
Fissure-ridge travertines (FRTs) are of great importance for the determination and comparison of tectonic deformation in a region. The coeval development of these travertines with active fault zones supplies significant information about regional dynamics in terms of deformation pattern and evolution. In this paper, the characteristics of FRTs of the Başkale basin (eastern Turkey) and responsible regional tectonism are discussed for the first time. The Başkale basin is located between the Başkale Fault Zone (BFZ) characterised by Çamlık fault and Işıklı–Ziraniş fault. It is located between dextral Yüksekova Fault Zone and southern end of dextral Guilato–Siahcheshmeh–Khoy Fault system (Iran). Various morphological features indicating recent activity are exposed along the BFZ, including offsetting rivers, fissure-ridge travertine and fault scarps. The Çamlık fissure-ridge travertine composing of three different depositions is observed along the eastern edge of the BFZ with approximately parallel orientations. The Çamlık fissure-ridge travertine has been formed and developed on fault zone related to strike-slip or oblique movements. We explain how kinematic changes of faults can influence the fissure-ridge development.
Highlights
Travertines are defined as calcium carbonate deposits that form in hydrothermal hot springs and in swamps
Travertines that are deposited by thermal springs can be used as an indicator of tectonic activity (Altunel, 1994; Altunel & Hancock, 1993a, 1993b; Atabey, 2002; Hancock, Chalmers, Altunel, & Çakir, 1999), and their location, age and geometry can assist in understanding geometry and kinematics of the main tectonic structure and stress field (Altunel & Hancock, 1993a, 1993b; Brogi & Capezzuoli, 2009; Faccenna, Funiciello, Montone, Parotto, & Voltaggio, 1993; Hancock et al, 1999; Martinez-Diaz & Hernandez-Enrile, 2001; Temiz & Eikenberg, 2011)
We describe the evolution of the fissure-ridge travertine is controlled by fault zone and coincides with evolution of sinistral shear zone
Summary
Travertines are defined as calcium carbonate deposits that form in hydrothermal hot springs and in swamps. If faulting affects areas that are characterised by geothermal anomalies supporting hydrothermal systems, any damage to the bedrock will give rise to a network of connected fractures This enhances the permeability of the rock masses, promoting circulation and upwelling of hydrothermal fluids (Bellani, Brogi, Lazzarotto, Liotta, & Ranalli, 2004; Rowland & Sibson, 2004; Sibson, 2000) and further seismic activity (Becken & Ritter, 2012; Becken, Ritter, Bedrosian, & Weckmann, 2011; Gratier, Favreau, Renard, & Pili, 2002). We describe the evolution of the fissure-ridge travertine is controlled by fault zone and coincides with evolution of sinistral shear zone
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