Izmir and Uzunada Faults (Chirp Profiles)

Abstract

Summary Turkey is expressed between Arabian and Eurasian plates and this pressure cause extension towards westward and this movement creates an N-S extension regime. As a result, we observe active faults at a range in scales in different directions in the extensional tectonic regime at the Aegean region, western Turkey. The Gulf of Izmir is located in this tectonic region. Recently, high-resolution reflection seismic data were acquired and processed in the region. Data interpretation gives detailed information about various faults and complex morphology of the Izmir Gulf region. Multibeam echosounder and CHIRP seismic data enable the identification of offshore faults. In the southern offshore only E-W directional normal fault (Izmir Fault) is observable. In the west of the Gulf of Izmir, SE-NW directional - Uzunada Fault is observable. Uzunada Fault splits into many segments, controlled by the tear fault. An active graben in the Gulf was observed parallel to the Uzunada Fault Zone. Seismic data showing that tectonic activity in Uzunada Fault Zone has a great influence on the deformation of the sea bottom of the inner, central, and outer Gulf of Izmir. New seismic data enable to the identification of another offshore fault named Foca-Suzbeyli Fault.