An example of polygenetic geomorphologic development (Karst-Glacial-Tectonics) on Munzur Mountains: Kepir Cave-Elbaba spring karstic system

The study area is located at the intersection of a karstic plateau basin in the Munzur Mountain range and a low-lying karstic discharge area in the Ovacık Plain. The mountain range extends east to west and the glacial plain runs parallel in similar direction. The research area is an excellent microcosm of a polygenic morphological karst system. The mountain terrain visible today is dramatic barren landscape and the by-product of multiple, interrelated processes, such as glaciations, karstification and tectonics. The insurgence waters cut into the sediment, gain velocity, and then disappear into a seven meter high by seven meter wide swallow hole cave entrance at 2600m. In the past, pre-Pleistocene dolines had helped transform this area into an icefield landscape. When glaciation period ended, karstic process revived again during Holocene and Kepir Cave has operated as a swallow hole again. The main factors of change can be attributed to glaciations in Pleistocene and intensified karstification during the Holocene. The thick stacking limestone or massif provides the geologic structure for underground drainage and the formation of what may be a significant and deep cave system. The cave system appears to be developing vertically along a prominent fault that is visible just inside the swallow hole entrance. The resurgence, Elbaba, must be related to the Ovacık Fault extending at the northern edge of Ovacık Plain. This karstic system continues to develop as an active system fed by significant snow and rain waters

The geomorphological characteristics of pleistocene glaciation in Akdağ Massive (West Taurus) and dating of these glaciation with optical stimulated luminescence (OSL)

Batı Torosların en yüksek ikinci zirvesine (Uyluk T. 3014 m) sahip olan Akdağ, batıda Eşen Ovası (60 m) doğuda Elmalı Ovası (1100 m) arasında yer alan ve 2700 m üzerinde birçok zirve barındıran, çevresine göre oldukça yüksek bir kütle görünümündedir. Akdağ Kütlesi'nde Kuvaterner'de meydana gelen buzul şekillerini incelemek ve OSL ile tarihlendirmek çalışmanın temel amacıdır. Bu çalışmada coğrafi bilgi sistemleri ve morfometrik analizler, OSL tarihlendirme yöntemi ve sedimantolojik analizlerden faydalanılmıştır. Akdağ Kütlesi'nin jeomorfolojik gelişiminde birden fazla etken ve sürecin rolü olmuştur. Bu süreçlerin başında karst, buzul, tektonik ve flüviyal gelmektedir. Akdağ Kütlesi'nde etkili olan Pleistosen buzullaşmaları, büyük ölçüde karstik yapıya uyumlu gelişmiş ve 2500 m ve üzerindeki paleo-karstik depresyonlarda kalın plato buzulları oluşmuştur. Akdağ Kütlesi'nde üçü büyük, beş buzul vadisi tespit edilmiştir. Bu buzul vadileri gelişmiş sirklerle başlayıp 2500 m seviyelerinde paleokarstik depresyonlara uyumlu olarak düşük eğimli, geniştabanlı ve büyük ölçüde taban ve yanal morenleri ile kaplı iken 2500 m seviyelerinden sonra vadiler daralıp klasik tekne vadi formu alıp 2000 m seviyelerinde cephe morenleri ile sonlanırlar. Akdağ Kütlesi'nde morenlerden alınan örneklere ait OSL tarihlendirmelerinde 17-21 bin yaşları çıkmıştır ki bu da son buzul dönemi MIS 2 ye denk gelmektedir.Having the second highest peak (Uyluk Peak 3014 m) in Western Taurus, Akdağ has much higher elevations than its neighboring areas such as Eşen Plain (60 m) in the west and Elmalı Plain (1100 m) in the east. The main purpose of the study is to examine the glacial shapes that form in the Quaternary in Akdağ Mass and to date them with OSL. In this study, geographic information systems and morphometric analyzes, OSL dating method and sedimentological analyzes were used. Due to the relief of Akdağ, it appears as a massive consisting of several peaks over 2700m. Several factors and processes have played roles in the geomorphological development of Akdağ Massive. Karst, glacier, tectonic and fluvial are primary among these processes. Pleistocene glaciations, which were efficient in Akdağ Massif, developed in accordance with the karst topography to a great extent and thick plateau glaciers expanded in paleo karstic depressions which were situated at the altitude of 2500 m and over. Five glacial valleys, three of them are larger, are identified in Akdağ Massive. These glacier valleys start with well developed cirques. While these valleys are in harmony with the paleokarstic depressions at the elevation of 2500 m as having low slope degrees, wide valley base and covered by ground and lateral moraines, below the elevation of 2500 m the valleys are being narrowed and the classical trough valley form is taken and the vallyes end at the elevation of 2000 m with terminal moraines. According to acquired OSL ages belonging to samples obtained from glacier deposits which are products of these glaciers, it is revealed that they were 17-21 thousand years old and this is synchronous the last glacial maximum.Publisher's Versio