Crustal Thickness Variation Across the Sea of Marmara Region, NW Turkey: A Reflection of Modern and Ancient Tectonic Processes

The Marmara region in Turkey is an important geological setting, both from a tectonic and a seismic hazard/risk perspective. We present a new map of crustal thickness variation across this complex region to better understand the interplay of past and present tectonic processes that have formed present‐day structure. Maps of crustal thickness are created using Ps converted phases and receiver function (RF) analysis of earthquakes recorded at all publicly available seismic stations and stations in the national monitoring network (run by AFAD Disaster and Emergency Management Authority Turkey). RFs are converted from time to depth using a local 3‐D full‐waveform tomographic model and are combined in multiphase common conversion point stacks. Direct P to S converted arrivals and associated multiples are mapped to produce continuous maps of the Moho discontinuity. Results show Moho depths ranging from 26–41 km with a regional trend of westward thinning reflecting the effects of the extensional regime in western Anatolia and the neighboring Aegean Sea. The thinnest crust is observed beneath the western end of the Sea of Marmara, attributed to transtensional basin opening. A distinct region of increased crustal thickness bounded by the West Black Sea Fault in the west, and the northern strand of the North Anatolian Fault in the south, defines the ancient crustal terrane of the Istanbul Zone. Isostatic arguments indicate that the thickened crust and lower elevation in the Istanbul Zone require it to be underlain by thicker lithosphere, a conclusion that is consistent with its hypothesized origin near the Odessa shelf

A decision support system-based procedure for evaluation and monitoring of protected areas sustainability for the Mediterranean region

WOS: 000297078900015Despite common acknowledgement of the value of protected areas as instruments in ensuring sustainability, and their promotion for the achievement of policies on halting the loss of biodiversity, there is no common approach today for monitoring and evaluating them. This paper presents a novel integrated nature conservation management procedure developed to monitor and evaluate the sustainability of Mediterranean protected areas. This procedure was successfully implemented and formally evaluated by protected area managers in six Mediterranean countries, results of which are presented here together with an overview of the web-based Decision Support System (DSS) developed to facilitate its wide adoption. The DSS and procedure has been designed and evaluated by managers as a useful tool, which facilitates and provides needed procedural guidance for protected area monitoring whilst minimizing input requirements to do so. The procedure and DSS were developed following a review of existing protected area assessment tools and a detailed primary investigation of the needs and capacity of its intended users. Essentially, the procedure and DSS guides provide the facilities for protected area managers, in following a participatory approach to develop a context-specific sustainability monitoring strategy, for their protected area. Consequently, the procedure is, by design, participatory, context specific, holistic and relevant to protected area management and institutional procedures. The procedure was piloted and formally evaluated in Greece, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Malta and Cyprus. Feedback collected from the pilot evaluations is also summarised herein.INTERREG III B [A.1.222 INNOVA]This research was funded under INTERREG III B Programme 'Archimed' A.1.222 INNOVA Project. The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution and input of the partners, protected area authorities, stakeholders and local communities. Special thanks to the University of Bari, the Polytechnic of Bari, Apulian Ministry of Environment, University of Lecce, Maltese Ministry of Rural Affairs and Environment, University of Malta, Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus, Prefecture of Chania, Egyptian Desert Research Center, Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, Palestinian National Authority, and Al Quads University

A strontium isotopic, petrographic, and Ostracoda biostratigraphic study of Middle-Late Miocene sequences: implications of record in the Silifke–Erdemli/Mersin, southern Turkey

In this paper, we present new data on Ostracoda micropaleontology, strontium isotopic ages, and petrology of the Miocene sequences in the Silifke–Erdemli area (Mersin/S. Turkey). Ostracods were investigated in the Middle and Late Miocene units, which are composed of clayey limestone and marl levels, reef limestones, and clay. Fifty-six ostracod species were identified, and a total of two initial levels were defined, one beginning in the Langhian stage, and the second at the end of the Serravallian and beginning of the Tortonian stage. The initial level of the Langhian stage is represented by the Carinocythereis, and the end of the Serravallian–beginning of the Tortonian stage is characterized by the initial level of Cyprideis. These levels have also been compared with other regions in the same stratigraphic levels in Turkey (Adana, Antakya, Mut, Denizli, and Antalya regions) and in areas around Turkey (Egypt, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and other Tethys–Paratethys regions). In addition, the levels identified in this study were also correlated to the planktonic foraminiferal zones identified for this region. The ostracod species identified are Carinocythereis at the initial level and subsequently, Cytherella postdenticulata Oertli, Grinioneis haidingeri minor (Ruggieri), Pokornyella deformis minor (Moyes), Carinocythereis antiquata (Baird), and Paracypris polita Sars; also, the other ostracod species are an initial level of Cyprideis followed by Cyprideis seminulum (Reuss), C. torosa (Jones), Cytheridea acuminata acuminata Bosquet, Miocyprideis sarmatica (Zalanyi), Neomonoceratina interiecta Bonaduce, Ruggieri, Russo and Bismuth, Schneidrella dromas (Schneider), and Krithe monosteracensis (Sequenza). Detailed petrographic analyses were carried out on the studied units. This analysis revealed that the reef limestones are composed of sandy intraclast-biomicrites, intra-packed biosparite, intra-packed biomicrite, microintra-packed micrite, and bioclastic-intramicrites; clayey limestones were rare clayey biomicrites and clayey intraclast-biomicrites. The main purpose of the study was to evaluate micropaleontological samples from the Miocene sequence based on ostracods and strontium dating to determine the precise age ranges. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios obtained from three samples of the limestones range between 0.708849 and 0.708902 and between 0.708868 and 0.708902, respectively. The Miocene sequences have been calibrated to range in age from 9.7 to 11.4 Ma via the strontium isotope ratio. © 2018, Saudi Society for Geosciences.Funding information Financial support was provided by the Çukurova University Research Foundation (Project No. FBA-2016-5464)

Geochemistry and zircon U–Pb geochronology constrains late cretaceous plagiogranite intrusions in Mersin ophiolite complex (southern Turkey).

In this study, LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating were used to determine the age of the newly discovered plagiogranite suite intruding gabbro and volcanic units of Mersin ophiolites from the Inner Tauride Belt. Obtained U–Pb zircon ages from the plagiogranite yielded crystallization ages of 93.0 ± 1.5 to 94.2 ± 2.4 Ma (Turonian–Cenomanian) supporting the idea of Late Cretaceous active subduction factory in the Tauride Suture Zone. The plagiogranites are mainly granodioritic, and tonalitic in composition, and contain mafic microgranular enclaves (MME) ranging from 10 to 45 cm in size. The plagiogranites are geochemically defined by low K2O (0.02–1.03 wt%) and TiO2 (0.17–1.88 wt%) and comparatively high Na2O (2.3–10.2 wt%) and SiO2 (70–78 wt%) compositions together with depletion in Ti, Ta, and Nb. The tectonomagmatic discrimination diagrams, trace, and REE-normalized multi-element patterns indicate that the plagiogranites are distinctive calc-alkaline, I-type volcanic arc granites. Plagiogranites are furthermore characterized by the diffuse presence of isotropic pseudomorphic growth of secondary calcic-amphibole (edenite and actinolite) over a pristine not preserved Ca-inosilicate. Inverse geothermobarometry models indicate a secondary amphibole genesis at ca. 600 °C and 1.5–1.7 kbar, suggesting HT-metasomatism affecting the already intruded plagiogranites. While it is already accepted that Mersin ophiolite complex is generated in a supra-subduction zone, this study represents a new contribution on the evolution of the Mersin ophiolite during the Late Cretaceous Neotethys subduction and could shed light on the genesis of plagiogranites in arc-environments. © 2018, Saudi Society for Geosciences.FBA-2016-7376Funding information Financial supports from the Çukurova University Research Foundation (Project No: FBA-2016-7376)

LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGE DETECTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING IN TURKEY. A CASE STUDY IN KARABURUN PENINSULA

WOS: 000353528800030Recently land use/land cover (LULC) changes are considered as one of the most important causes of global environmental change. For that reason, accurate and timely information for detecting and identifying LULC changes is important. This study was conducted in order to detect spatial and temporal changes of LULC for a period of 35 years (1975-2010) in Karaburun Peninsula by using Landsat MSS and Landsat TM images. The LULC types were classified according to CORINE Land Cover Nomenclature. In order to realise LULC change detection, Landsat 2 MSS (19.06.1975), Landsat 5 TM (1990) and Landsat 5 TM (2010) images were used for the study. Changes during the 35-years period were evaluated by a post-classification change detection technique.Ege University Scientific Research ProjectEge University [2005-CSUAM-002]Some parts of this study has been financed by the Ege University Scientific Research Project with the Code 2005-CSUAM-002

Geochemical characteristics and age of metamorphic sole rocks within a Neotethyan ophiolitic mélange from Konya region (central southern Turkey)

Palaeo- and Neo-Tethyan-related magmatic and metamorphic units crop out in Konya region in the south central Anatolia. The Neotethyan assemblage is characterized by mélange and ophiolitic units of Late Cretaceous age. They tectonically overlie the Middle Triassic-Upper Cretaceous neritic to pelagic carbonates of the Tauride platform. The metamorphic sole rocks within the Konya mélange crop out as thin slices beneath the sheared serpentinites and harzburgites. The rock types in the metamorphic sole are amphibolite, epidote-amphibolite, garnet-amphibole schist, plagioclase-amphibole schist, plagioclase-epidote-amphibole schist and quartz-amphibole schist. The geochemistry of the metamorphic sole rocks suggests that they were derived from the alkaline (seamount) and tholeiitic (E-MORB, IAT and boninitic type) magmatic rocks from the upper part of the Neotethyan oceanic crust. Four samples from the amphibolitic rocks yielded 40Ar/39Ar isotopic ages, ranging from 87.04 ±.36 Ma to 84.66 ±.30 Ma. Comparison of geochemistry and geochronology for the amphibolitic rocks suggests that the alkaline amphibolite (seamount-type) cooled below 510 ± 25 °C at 87 Ma whereas the tholeiitic amphibolites at 85 Ma during intraoceanic thrusting/subduction. When all the evidence combined together, the intraoceanic subduction initiated in the vicinity of an off-axis plume or a plume-centered spreading ridge in the Inner Tauride Ocean at 87 Ma. During the later stage of the steady-state subduction, the E-MORB volcanics on the top of the down-going slab and the arc-type basalts (IAT/boninitic) detached from the leading edge of the overriding plate, entered the subduction zone after ~2 my and metamorphosed to amphibolite facies in the Inner Tauride Ocean. Duration of the intraoceanic detachment (~87 Ma) and ophiolite emplacement onto the Tauride-Anatolide Platform (Tavşanli Zone), followed by subsequent HP/LT metamorphism (~82 Ma) spanned ~5 my in the western part of the Inner Tauride Ocean. © 2014 © 2014 Taylor & Francis

Land use/land cover change detection for environmental monitoring in Turkey. A case study in Karaburun Peninsula

Recently land use/land cover (LULC) changes are considered as one of the most important causes of global environmental change. For that reason, accurate and timely information for detecting and identifying LULC changes is important. This study was conducted in order to detect spatial and temporal changes of LULC for a period of 35 years (1975-2010) in Karaburun Peninsula by using Landsat MSS and Landsat TM images. The LULC types were classified according to CORINE Land Cover Nomenclature. In order to realise LULC change detection, Landsat 2 MSS (19.06.1975), Landsat 5 TM (1990) and Landsat 5 TM (2010) images were used for the study. Changes during the 35-years period were evaluated by a post-classification change detection technique