One-dimensional thermal modeling of the eastern pontides orogenic belt (NE Turkey)

The eastern Pontides orogenic belt is one of the most complex geodynamic settings in the Alpine-Himalayan belt due to the lack of systematical geological and geophysical data. In this study, 1D crustal structure and P-wave velocity distribution obtained from gravity modeling and seismological data in the area has been used for the development of the thermal model of the eastern Pontides orogenic belt. The computed temperature-depth profiles suggest a temperature of 590 ± 60°C at a Moho depth of 35 km indicates the presence of a brittle-ductile transition zone. This temperature value might be related to water in the subducted crust of the Tethys oceanic lithosphere. The Curie temperature depth value of 29 km, which may correspond to the crustal magma chambers, is found 5-7 km below the Moho depth. Surface heat flow density values vary from 66.5 and 104.7 mW m -2. High mantle heat flow density value of 48 mW m -2 is obtained for the area should be related to melting of the lithospheric mantle caused by upwelling of asthenosphere.