TECTONIC GEOMORPHOLOGY OF BAŞKALE FAULT ZONE

Indexed In

Volume 155 / 2017

Authors:

Azad SAĞLAM SELÇUK, Meryem DÜZGÜN

Keywords:

Başkale Fault Zone, Morphotectonic, geomorphic indices, uplift rates, Eastern Anatolia

Abstract:

Başkale Fault Zone is located between Şemdinli-Yüksekova fault zone in southeast Turkey and Guilato–Siahcheshmeh–Khoy fault system in southeast Iran. The fault zone starts from Yavuzlar town extending to Işıklar village in southwest. The BFZ is composed of three different segments which have orientations varying N75°E to N 80°E. Offset streams, fault-controlled drainage system such as Çığılsuyu stream, alluvial fans which line up parallel to the fault and contain deformation structures, fault flats, Plio-Quaternary volcanic rocks and volcanic structures, and fissure ridge travertines with formation continuing today are among morphotectonic characteristics that indicate the BFZ is active.

The objective of the investigation is to determine the effect of Başkale Fault Zone on morphotectonic evolution of the region. With this aim, morphometric indices such hypsometric integral, drainage basin asymmetry, the ratio between the width and the height of valley and sinuosity of mountain fronts were produced with a Digital Elevation Model of study area and were interpreted. Depending on the results of morphometric models, it appears that the region has young topography and is actively rising. It was concluded that the rate of topographic uplift in the region increases from east to west and typically rates are greater than 0.5 mm per year in the west.

DOI: 10.19111/bulletinofmre.315757

DOI:

DOI: 10.19111/bulletinofmre.315757