Hydrothermal fluids circulation and travertine deposition in an active tectonic setting: Insights from the Kamara geothermal area (western Anatolia, Turkey)

Coexistence of thermal springs, travertine deposits and tectonic activity is a recurring feature for most geothermal areas. Although such a certainty, their relationships are debated mainly addressing on the role of the tectonic activity in triggering and controlling fluids flow and travertine deposition. In this paper, we present the results of an integrated study carried out in a geothermal area located in western Anatolia (Turkey), nearby the well-known Pamukkale area (Denizli Basin). Our study focused on the relationships among hydrothermal fluids circulation, travertine deposition and tectonic activity, with particular emphasis on the role of faults in controlling fluids upwelling, thermal springs location and deposition of travertine masses. New field mapping and structural/kinematics analyses allowed us to recognize two main faults systems (NW- and NE-trending), framed in the Neogene-Quaternary extensional tectonic evolution of western Anatolia. A geo-radar (GPR) prospection was also provided in a key-area, permitting us to reconstruct a buried fault zone and its relationships with the development of a fissure-ridge travertine deposit (Kamara fissure-ridge). The integration among structural and geophysical studies, fluids inclusion, geochemical, isotopic data and 230 Th/238 U radiometric age determination on travertine deposits, depict the characteristics of the geothermal fluids and their pathway, up to the surface. Hydrological and seismological data have been also taken in account to investigate the relation between local seismicity and fluid upwelling. As a main conclusion we found strict relationships among tectonic activity, earthquakes occurrence, and variation of the physical/chemical features of the hydrothermal fluids, presently exploited at depth, or flowing out in thermal springs. In the same way, we underline the tectonic role in controlling the travertine deposition, making travertine (mainly banded travertine) a useful proxy to reconstruct the seismological history of an area, as well as the characteristics of the parent geothermal fluids, adding an effective tool for geothermal exploration tasks

The 20th July 2017 Bodrum–Kos tsunami field survey

Summarization: The July 20, 2017 Bodrum–Kos Earthquake caused tsunami wave motions and damage in the south of Bodrum Peninsula, Turkey, and on Kos Island, Greece. Immediately after the earthquake, we conducted several post-tsunami field surveys including interviews in coastal zones impacted by the tsunami, i.e., the coastlines of Bodrum Peninsula, Karaada Islet and Akyaka Town in Gökova Bay, Turkey, and eastern Kos Island, Greece. We present observations and measurements to document the variation of the tsunami effects along the coast. The largest tsunami runup was about 1.9 m and observed at the mouth of a small dry streambed at Gumbet Bay, Bodrum. No significant water motions were reported at the northern and western coasts of Bodrum Peninsula. The tsunami runup distribution along the coast of eastern Kos was overall regular, with runup not exceeding 1 m except in the Port of Kos where a 1.5 m tsunami runup was measured.Παρουσιάστηκε στο: Pure and Applied Geophysic