Salah, Mohamed K.; Alkan, Hamdi; Öztürk, Serkan; Güney, Recep

On February 6, 2023, two destructive earthquakes and many posterior aftershocks hit the Kahramanmaras,area in southern Anatolia. The Kahramanmaras, earthquake sequence (KMES) caused extensive damage and economic losses in T & uuml;rkiye and Syria. In this study, the 3-D crustal seismic velocities surrounding the hypocentral region of the KMES are determined using a large dataset of body wave arrival times obtained from local earthquakes. To better constrain the physical properties and seismogenic behavior of the KMES source region, the Vp/Vs ratio is calculated and correlated with Poisson's ratio using the obtained velocity models. To gain a better understanding of the stress conditions and regional earthquake activity in the study area, the depth variation of the b-value is also examined. The velocity structure is generally heterogeneous with both low and high velocities at upper crustal depths. Along the East Anatolian Fault Zone and its environs, low-velocity anomalies are charted. Also, small b-values (<1.0) are estimated in the region encompassing the KMES, especially at upper crustal depths. The KMES source zone is characterized by low b-value, low to average Vp, low Vs, and average/high Vp/Vs ratios. Hit count rates and the resolution test show that the mapped velocity anomalies are robust down to a depth of 45 km. Therefore, the moderate/high Vp/Vs and small b-values at the upper and middle crustal depths along the EAFZ may give constraints on the next earthquake hazards of the study region. The present findings provide deeper insight into the physical properties and the seismogenic potential of the crustal zones in proximity to the active fault segments of the Anatolian Plateau and the northwestern part of Arabia.

Saydam Eker, Çiğdem; Kaygusuz, Abdullah; Arı, Uğur Volkan

The Current study used geochemical indicators such as the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), the Enrichment Factor (EF), and the contamination factor (CF) to evaluate the regional distributions and accumulations of various heavy metal/loids (HM; Co, Mo, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, As, Cd) in early Jurassic cherts in the Gümüşhane (NE Türkiye). Five stratigraphic section measurement (MS) areas (Tedaş, Alemdar, Akçakale, Tekke, and Pirahmet) and one borehole (Eskibağlar well) were selected for sampling. Major and trace element compositions of the selected 25 samples were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Calculated geochemical indexes indicated that Alemdar, Tekke MS, and Eskibağlar well samples were polluted with Pb, Zn, Cu, As, and Cd, Tedaş, Akçakale, and Pirahmet MS samples were polluted with Cd. Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC) and principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that Zn, Pb, and Cu contaminating the Alemdar, Tekke MS, and Eskibağlar well samples were of ore mineralization origin, As was of terrigenous input, and Cd was probably of diatom origin. PCC and PCA showed that the Cd contaminating the Tedaş, Akçakale, and Pirahmet MS samples was probably of diatom origin, and the other metals found at normal levels in the samples were due to terrigenous input. The Early Jurassic period, which was a rift environment in the Gümüşhane region, is thought to have produced the cherts of the Alemdar, Tekke MS, and Eskibağlar well samples in a graben environment, while the cherts of the Tedaş, Akçakale, and Pirahmet MS were deposited in a horst environment. δU values, Ni/Co, and Vi/(V + Ni) ratios indicated that oxic-anoxic conditions were generally prevalent in the depositional environment, but redox conditions did not affect the abundance and distribution of HMs. These findings provide critical information for assessing heavy metal/loid enrichment and contamination potential not only in clastic sedimentary rocks, river sediments, and soils but also in non-clastic sedimentary rocks.

Kaygusuz, Abdullah; Arslan, Mehmet; Temizel, İrfan; CemYücel; Aydınçakır, Emre

The Eastern Pontides Orogenic Belt (EPOB) as a well-preserved ancient magmatic arc situated in the eastern part of the Sakarya Zone and has key importance to allow for proper reconstruction of the geodynamic evolution of the region. The region accepted as important part of Alpine–Himalayan Belt comprises of many granitoids of the Late Cretaceous age. This paper presents new mineral chemistry, bulk-rock petrochemistry, U-Pb geochronology and radiogenic and stable isotope geochemistry data from the Arpaköy and Oyman granitoids in the north part of the EPOB to interpretation of the igneous activity and geodynamic evolution of the region in Late Cretaceous era. Emplacement ages of 86.82 ± 0.58 Ma for the Oyman granitoid and 82.0 ± 2.3 Ma for the Arpaköy granitoid according to laser ablation ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating. The Arpaköy granitoid are gabbro diorite, diorite and granite, whereas the Oyman granitoid are tonalite and granite in composition. They show metaluminous-peraluminous transitional (ASI = 0.79–1.20) low to medium-K calc-alkaline features. The rock samples from granitoids are characterized by enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and high field strength elements (HFSE) depletion with concave-upward shapes (LaN/LuN = 1.88 to 6.04). The crystallization temperatures are 648 °C–913 °C and the pressure values are 0.2–3.0 kbar, which indicates emplacement depth of the studied granitoids varying from ~1 to 9 km correspond to shallow crustal depths. They show considerable variations in εNd(i) (−4.02 to 1.50) and 87Sr/86Sr(i) (0.70478–0.70689). The 206Pb/204Pb ratios are between 17.97 and 18.65, and δ18O are varying from +5.4 to +9.3‰. The parental magma of the Arpaköy and Oyman granitoids originated from a melt of the enriched lithospheric mantle and the fractional crystallization and lesser assimilation processes has important role on the evolution of magmas in the shallow crustal levels.

Cicerali, Derya; Arslan, Mehmet; Yazar, Emel Abdioglu; Yücel, Cem; Temizel, Irfan; Park, Sohyun; Schroeder, Paul A.

Eocene vitric tuffs in the Bayburt area (NE Turkey) possess a dacite-rhyodacite composition and contain abundant altered glass shards and flattened fibrous pumice with lesser amounts of pyrogenic minerals (plagioclase, quartz, biotite, and sanidine). Zeolitization is common and generally develops in the glassy components. The main zeolite mineral found in the tuffs is clinoptilolite, with lesser amounts of analcime and mordenite (?). Smectite is the dominant clay mineral, with lesser amounts of kaolinite also present. Opal-CT, calcite, and dolomite occur as secondary minerals. Scanning electron microscopy studies reveal the dissolution of glass, with the development of popcorn-textured smectites and tabular clinoptilolites developed. The opal-CT spheres found on the clinoptilolite crystals appear to have crystallized simultaneously and are due to excess silica in the environment. Fibrous mordenite (?) also developed on the clinoptilolites. In the clinoptilolites R-r = 0.81-0.82, Si/Al = 4.20-4.70, and K+ is the dominant exchangeable cation (0.65-3.30) seen, together with lesser amount of Ca2+ (0.39-2.25) and Na+ (0.02-2.16). The degree of zeolitization increases with the content of glassy component in the tuffs. The formation of K-clinoptilolite is controlled by the SiO2/Al2O3 (4.9-7.0) and K2O/Na2O (0.8-10.8) ratios in the zeolitized tuffs. delta O-18(V-SMOW) and delta DV-SMOW values of clinoptilolite-rich tuffs range from 22 to 25.6960 and from -96 to -111 parts per thousand, respectively, which suggests that zeolitization occurred at low temperatures (30-55 degrees C) via fluid-rock interactions. Smectite was initially formed from the devitrification of glassy components and is associated with the increase in (Na+ +K+ +Ca2+)/H+ activity and the presence of high pH similar to-9-10) fluids. The zeolites subsequently developed within a saline-alkali shallow marine environment.

Saydam Eker, Çiğdem; Sipahi, Ferkan; Gümüş, Mustafa Kemal; Özkan, Özay

This study aims to analyze the changes in sediment provenance through the geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb–O isotopic composition of the Ankara Stream bed and overbank sediments (ASBS and ASOS) and to examine the weathering and sediment transport processes in response to step climate variability. Major, trace, and rare earth elements, as well as Sr–Nd–Pb–O isotopic composition, exhibit generally similar variations for the investigated samples. These sediments have relatively high εNd(0) values and low 87Sr/86Sr ratios. Similar Pb isotopic ratios also characterize these sediments but have slightly different δ18O isotope values with relatively higher δ18O isotope values in the ASBS and lower δ18O isotope values in the ASOS samples. Chemical indices indicate low–moderate chemical weathering in the step-dominated climate. The low average Zr/Sc and Zr/Nb ratios indicate that such geochemical change was dominated by the composition of the source rocks but not sedimentary recycling with zircon enrichment, reflecting first-cycle deposit. Low radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr ratios and negative εNd(0) values indicate that the investigated sediments are relatively derived from young magmatic provinces, which are intermediate sources. Finally, the findings show that the geochemical compositions of the ASBS and ASOS were dominated by the composition of the source materials that originate from Galatia province and Late Cretaceous- Early Tertiary volcanic rocks in central Anatolia. Reasonable semiarid to arid climatic conditions are observed in the region. Active tectonism, increased erosion, and the investigated sediments are also transported rapidly to the stream channel without chemical alteration, and the sediments are the first-cycle products.

Kanik, Mustafa; Gurocak, Zulfu; Alemdag, Selcuk

The aim of this study is to highlight the importance of the numerical approach in realistic support design for tunneling. The Macka Tunnel, which is planned to be constructed between the Trabzon-Gumushane highways, located in the Northeastern Turkey, was selected for a field study. The lithology of the study area consists of Late Cretaceous-aged sedimentary rocks, known as the Catak and Esiroglu formations, and the Late Cretaceous-aged Kackar Rhyodacite. In order to determine the geotechnical properties of rock masses and intact rocks, field and laboratory studies were carried out.The rock masses were classified in terms of the Rock Mass Rating (RMR) using the versions of RMR89 and RMR14 and then the preliminary support systems for the tunnel were determined, accordingly. The support systems obtained from the RMR versions were analyzed using the finite element method (FEM). The maximum total displacement and the maximum thickness of plastic zone occurred around the Macka Tunnel after installation the support systems suggested by the RMR89 and RMR14 versions were compared to determine which the RMR version suggests more realistic support system. The results showed that the support systems obtained from the RMR14 version suggests more realistic support element for fair rock masses and great horizontal stress values.

Alemdag, Selcuk; Kaya, Ayberk; Karadag, Mustafa; Gurocak, Zulfu; Bulut, Fikri

The stability of the slope debris in residential area of the Kalebasi District (Ozkurtun-Gumushane) was investigated using the Limit Equilibrium (LE) and Finite Element Shear-Strength Reduction (FE-SSR) methods. Along the survey lines, four trial pits were dug and fourteen boreholes having a total length of 345m were drilled. Also, seismic refraction studies were conducted along the five lines. According to the field studies, thickness of the slope debris covering the 98ha of the study area varies between 1 and 36m. To determine the physical and shear strength properties of the slope debris, undisturbed samples were taken from the trial pits. As a result of the laboratory tests, soil categories of the debris were found to be as Clayey Sand (SC), Silty Sand (SM) and Low Plasticity Clay (CL). The deformation-controlled shear box tests were carried out to determine the shear strength parameters of the slope debris. According to these tests it was found that the peak cohesion and peak friction angle varies between 2.63-16.35kN/m2 and 20-27°, respectively. Stability analyses were performed using the obtained data from field and laboratory investigations in the Slide v5.0 and Phase2 v6.0 software programs and results were compared. In LE stability analyses, the factor of safety (FOS) of survey lines were found to be as 1.44, 1.80, 1.96, and 1.72; however for the FE-SSR method they were determined as 1.39, 1.72, 1.59, and 1.58, respectively.

Alemdag, Selcuk; Gurocak, Zulfu; Gokceoglu, Candan

Rock mass characterization has a crucial importance in rock engineering applications including foundation design, slope design, support design and others. For these purposes, it is necessary to determine some input parameters for design, such as deformation modulus (Em), uniaxial compressive strength (σci) and Poisson ratio (υ). The Em is an important input parameter and the practical and economical way to determine this parameter is to apply a rock mass classification system and estimate using the rock mass properties. Data from four different sites were used in the study. The values of Em were calculated using the existing empirical equations based on the Rock Mass Rating (RMR89) system. Furthermore, pressuremeter tests were carried out to determine the Em in one of the sites. The relationship between the RMR89 and the Em was obtained via simple regression analysis using the Em calculated from empirical equations based on RMR89 system. Afterwards, performance of the equation obtained from regression analyses was examined and compared the predicted Em values with experimental values with respect to the R2 values using the data of fourth site. Overall R2 value was found to be as 0.75.