Tectonic meaning of the deformation in shallow marine region between Gaziköy-Mürefte (Sea of Marmara) by using seismic reflection data, NW Anatolia

Abstract

Within the scope of this paper, seismic reflection and bathymetry studies were carried out in the shallow marine area forming the westernmost part of the Tekirdağ Basin using the R/V Selen Research Vessel within the MTA Marine Research Department. In the study area, ~ 500 km length bathymetry data and ~191 km shallow seismic profiles ( 41 lines) were collected. By means of the data, tectonic structures and deformation textures of the North Anatolian Fault System (NAFS) in the marine area of Gaziköy were examined. As a result of the processing and interpretation of the seismic sections, compression structures occurring due to the SW rotation of the NAFS in the study area, the morphology of the Ganos depression that formed as a result of faulting and also three different stratigraphic units were distinguished. These units are separated from each other by distinct unconformity surfaces and each unit presents different deformation structures. One of the most significant results obtained from the seismic data is that the unconformity surface that separates the current sediments of the seafloor from the older units is represented by the overlapping structures indicate sea level changes. It has been assessed that this situation occurred as a result of the erosional process developed during sea level fall.

Keywords

• gaziköy-mürefte
• shallow marine deformation
• unconformity surface
• north anatolian fault system
• sea of marmara