Participatory Effect of Water Drawdown on Initiation and Propagation of the Ground Cracks South of Lake Burdur (Turkey)

Abstract

Ground cracks occur in many parts of the globe due to various causes. In Burdur (Turkey), they have been observed on an old alluvial fan encompassing 9 km by 7 km in an area south of Lake Burdur. This 3 m deep crack system continues along a line extending to 850 m, with the largest segment being about 170 m long. Because the cracks are close to a populated area, where damaging earthquakes had occurred in the past, further anxiety is created among the general population as to their source mechanism(s)—particularly if they are related to an imminent earthquake. An accurate mechanism for their occurrence requires resolution of multitude of issues. One aspect not considered to date is the drop in the lake’s water level of about 15 m in the last 25 years. This study focuses on the role of this drop in the lake’s water level. Satellite remote sensing and slope stability analysis methods are used. The results demonstrate significant influence of rapid drop in water level on the occurrence of cracks. The results are also significant for general understanding of the mechanism of occurrence of ground cracks elsewhere in the world.