Quantitative analysis of relative tectonic activity in the Acıgöl fault, SW Turkey

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to determine the relative tectonic activity of the Acigol Fault using geomorphic indices. The Acigol Fault is approximately 50 km long and was separated into four segments. For this purpose, the following geomorphic indices have been used: (1) mountain-front sinuosity (Smf), (2) valley floor width-to-valley height ratio (Vf), (3) basin asymmetry factor (AF), and (4) hypsometric curve and integral (Hi). When the results of Smf and Vf are evaluated, the uplift ratio was calculated as > 0.5 mm year−1 in the middle part of the fault, namely in the second and third segments, whereas this ratio is 0.5–0.05 mm year−1 along the NE nad SW margins of the fault. The Acigol Fault is normal fault based on both relative tectonic activity is moderate to high and downthrow is high in the middle part of the fault and low in the margins. In general, the Acigol Fault has relatively moderate to high tectonic activity and when the length of the fault is taken into consideration, generally speaking, the Acigol Fault has relatively moderate to high tectonic activity, and when the length of the fault is taken into consideration, it was concluded that the fault could produce a high-magnitude earthquake in the future.