M. Cemal Göncüoglu

Structural evolution of the Tuzgolu basin in Central Anatolia, Turkey

The Central Anatolian segment of the Alpine‐Himalayan orogen contains “interior” basins, the largest of which is the Tuzgölü (Salt Lake) basin (>20,000 km2). It is bounded on the east by the Tuzgölü (Salt Lake) fault zone and on the west by the Yeniceoba and Cihanbeyli fault zones. Structural, stratigraphic, and sedimentologic evidence suggests that the Tuzgölü basin started as a fault‐controlled basin during late Maastrichtian tectonism when the present‐day northwest‐trending faults that bound the basin were initiated. These faults may have been formed as normal faults suggesting extension or strike‐slip faults with a normal component of movement indicating a large transtension at the time of their initiation. The late Maastrichtian faults were reactivated as strike‐slip faults in response to late Eocene compression in the region that produced the Central Anatolian thrust belt to the north and the late Eocene south‐dipping thrust faults of the Ulukişla basin to the south. This reactivation is suggested by structurally repeated and missing Paleocene‐Eocene deposits in some of the basins wildcat wells. The late Eocene regression in the Tuzgölü basin was caused by the combined effects of Eocene shortening and a large environmental change. Late Eocene evaporites suggest that the basin was dry before the start of the Neotectonic period, while during the Neotectonic itself the Tuzgölü fault zone was reactivated again, predominantly as a normal fault with a right‐lateral strike‐slip component. This is evidenced by (1) a major unconformity between the post‐Eocene Koçhisar Formation of the Tuzgölü basin and the underlying Eocene rock units; (2) a well‐developed rollover anticline observed on seismic reflection profiles; and (3) a right‐step along the Tuzgölü fault zone seen in the field.

First evidence of Late Carnian radiolarians from the Izmir-Ankara suture complex, central Sakarya, Turkey: implications for the opening age of the Izmir-Ankara branch of Neo-Tethys

Within the Late Cretaceous melange complex of the Izmir–Ankara suture zone in central Sakarya area, north-western Turkey, a megablock with radiolarian cherts associated with basaltic pillow lavas has been dated by radiolarians. The studied radiolarian assemblage and conodonts yielded an early Late Carnian age. This age is the oldest obtained from the chert blocks all along the suture belt and has important implications for the rifting/opening age of the Izmir–Ankara branch of the Tethys ocean in north-western Turkey. Based on this new data, it is concluded that during the Late Triassic the Izmir–Ankara seaway was connected to the other Tethyan oceanic branches and deep enough to provide chert sedimentation and exchange radiolarians with the main open oceans. It is further suggested that the long-lasting misinterpretation of a Liassic rifting/opening of the Izmir–Ankara ocean should be revised.

Early Paleozoic evolution of the NW Gondwanaland: data from southern Turkey and surrounding regions

Abstract The Lower Paleozoic rock-units in the Eastern Mediterranean can be separated into two distinct zones: the Northern Zone (Carpathian-Balkan, Istanbul, Zonguldak and Main Range terranes) and the Southern Zone (Tauride-Anatolide, SE Anatolian-Arabian, and Central Iranian terranes). A Gondwanan /Perigondwanan origin can only be properly indicated for the Southern Zone, whereas the Early Paleozoic paleogeographic positions of smaller terranes (e.g. Istanbul Terrane) of the Northern Zone remains questionable. During the Infracambrian-Early Cambrian time in the Southern Zone, the Pan-African consolidated NW Gondwanan pericratonic margin was rifted by back-arc extension or transtension, which is represented by the deposition of fault-controlled continental sediments. The late Early Cambrian-Late Cambrian period in the Southern Zone is designated by a regional transgression from northeast suggesting a rapid subsidence in the area to the northwest of Arabian-Tauride platform and hence opening of a relatively deep basin to the north. The Lower Ordovician in the Southern Zone comprising the Tremadoc and Arenig Series is characterized by a monotonous siliciclastic deposition. Towards the end of Early Ordovician shallowing upward sequences and formation of NW-SE trending highs were noticed. The stratigraphic hiatuses, unconformities and irregular distribution of the Caradoc-Ashgill deposits in the Southern Zone has been ascribed to glacio-eustatic sea-level changes. The Early Silurian (Aeronian-Telychian) deepening and deposition of black shales that follows the regression around the Ordovician-Silurian boundary in the Southern Zone is also very probably related to the relatively rapid global sea-level rise. To the north of the Tauride-Anatolide Platform, Wenlock and Late Silurian are represented by deep marine (basinal) sediments with oceanic basalts. The generation of an accretionary complex in the northern margin of the Taurides together with the regional regression in the southern Taurides and SE Anatolia at the uppermost Silurian-Lower Devonian boundary and the regional unconformity at Lower Devonian (Middle Lochkovian) is very probably related to the closure of a “Paleotethyan” oceanic basin to the north of the Perigondwanan terranes.

Neotectonic Characteristics of Central Anatolia

The Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex and its Tertiary cover have been highly dissected by neotectonic structures. The period of neotectonic activity is dominated by three main fault systems in Central Anatolia—the Tuzgolu fault zone, the Ecemis fault zone, and the Yozgat-Akdagmadeni-Bogazliyan fault system. The Tuzgolu fault zone, trending in a NW-SE direction, is located WSW of the Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex (CACC). This fault zone consists of parallel to subparallel, normal, and oblique right-lateral strike-slip faults displaying a step-like half-graben and horst-graben pattern. It controls the eastern margin of Tuzgolu, fault-parallel depressions, and the western margin of the Central Anatolian volcanic province. The Ecemis fault zone is located east of the CACC and is characterized by NE-SW-trending, left-lateral strike-slip faults controlling the eastern margin of the Central Anatolian volcanic province. The Yozgat-Akdagmadeni-Bogazliyan region is dominated by NW-SE- and NE-SW-trendin...

Geochemical Character and Tectonic Environment of Neotethyan Ophiolitic Fragments and Metabasites in the Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex, Turkey

Abstract The Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex (CACC) or Kırşehir Block is part of the metamorphosed leading edge of the Tauride-Anatolide Carbonate Platform. It contains oceanic remnants derived from the Neotethys Ocean (İzmir-Ankara-Erzincan branch) which separate it from the Sakarya microcontinent. Two tectonic units are distinguished: an amphibolite facies Mesozoic ‘basement’, dominated by platform marbles, over which is thrust a younger fragmented Upper Cretaceous ophiolite sequence. Three metabasite horizons were sampled to reconstruct the development of the oceanic components: (1) fragmented Upper Cretaceous (90-85 Ma) stratiform ophiolitic members comprising gabbros, sheeted dykes, basalt lavas and pelagic sediments thrust over all other units; (2) a tectonised admixture of basite, ultramafic and felsic blocks in an ophiolitic mélange (Upper Cretaceous matrix) thrust over the basement metamorphic rocks; and (3) amphibolites concordant with ‘basement’ marbles and minor pelagics of the largely (?)Triassic Kaleboynu Formation in the lower part of the carbonate platform. Metabasalts and metagabbros from isolated fragments of the stratiform ophiolites form geochemically coherent groups and indicate the influence of a subduction component during their development. It is considered that the suprasubduction zone ophiolites record the association of a tholeiitic arc and an adjacent back-arc basin with more mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-like compositions. Metabasite blocks within the tectonised ophiolitic mélange slice are MORB like, together with minor ocean island basalt (OIB) and island arc basalts, and may be tectonically related to ophiolitic units within the accretionary wedge of the Ankara Mélange. Concordant amphibolites of the Kaleboynu Formation are largely OIB types and reflect an early ensialic rifting stage of the Tauride-Anatolide Carbonate Platform. Small ocean basins also developed at this time, as recorded by the presence of MORB and associated pelagics. The CACC block, together with parts of the Ankara Mélange, are considered to represent oceanic lithosphere (comprising both early spreading centre and latter subduction-influenced crust) and continental carbonate platform that were subsequently ejected from an accretionary-subduction complex on collision with the Sakarya microcontinent.

Terlemez quartz monzonite of Central Anatolia (Aksaray–Sarıkaraman): age, petrogenesis and geotectonic implications for ophiolite emplacement

KENAN M. YALINIZ, NURDAN S. AYDIN, M. CEMAL GOENCUEOGAE LU* and OSMAN PARLAK Department of Civil Engineering, Celal Bayar University, Muradiye, Manisa, Turkey Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Department of Geological Engineering, Middle East Technical University, TR-06531 Ankara, Turkey Department of Geological Engineering, CE ukurova University, Balcalo, TR-01330 Adana, Turkey

A Geotraverse Across Northwestern Turkey: Tectonic Units of the Central Sakarya Region and their Tectonic Evolution

Abstract In the Central Sakarya area of Turkey there are two main Alpine continental units, separated by a south verging ophiolitic complex which represents the root zone of the İzmir-Ankara Suture Belt. The Central Sakarya Terrane in the north includes two ‘Variscan’ tectonic units in its basement. The Söğüt Metamorphic rocks represent a Variscan ensimatic arc complex and the Tepeköy Metamorphic rocks are characteristically a forearc-trench complex. The unconformably overlying Triassic Soğukkuyu Metamorphic rocks correspond to a part of the Karakaya Formation and are interpreted as a Triassic rift basin assemblage. These units are unconformably overlain by a transgressive sequence of Liassic-Late Cretaceous age that represents the northeastward deepening carbonate platform of the Sakarya Composite Terrane. The middle tectonic unit (the Central Sakarya Ophiolitic Complex) comprises blocks and slices of dismembered ophiolites, blueschists and basic volcanic rocks with uppermost Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous radiolarite-limestone interlayers. Geochemical data from basalt blocks suggest mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)- and suprasubduction-type tectonic settings within the Neotethyan İzmir-Ankara Ocean. The southern tectonic unit includes basal polyphase metamorphosed clastic rocks (Sömdiken Metamorphics), intruded by felsic and basic dykes and overlain by thick-bedded marbles. This assemblage is unconformably overlain by continental clastic rocks gradually giving way to thick-bedded recrystallized limestones, cherty limestones and pelagic limestones intercalated with radiolarites, and finally by a thick high pressure-low temperature (HP-LT) metamorphic synorogenic flysch sequence. This succession is identical to the passive continental margin sequences of the Tauride Platform. It is suggested that this passive margin was subducted during the Late Cretaceous in an intraoceanic subduction zone and affected by HP-LT metamorphism. The emplacement of the allochthonous oceanic assemblages and the collision with the Central Sakarya Terrane was complete by the end of the Cretaceous.

Geologic and Tectonic Setting of the Yozgat Batholith, Northern Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex, Turkey

The Yozgat Batholith lies along the northern edge of the Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex in Central Anatolia, Turkey. The batholith intruded the Paleozoic-Mesozoic metamorphics and Cretaceous ophiolitic melange, and was nonconformably overlain by latest Maastrichtian-Paleocene and/or Eocene clastics, carbonates, and volcanics. The batholith itself may be subdivided into several mappable subunits bounded by Cretaceous ophiolitic melange, Eocene cover, and/or faults. Major- and trace-element as well as REE analyses of the subunits indicate that the granitoids of the Yozgat Batholith are principally metaluminous monzogranites, of subalkaline-calc-alkaline character, except for the peraluminous leucogranitoids of the Yozgat subunit. The granitoids were derived by thickening of the continental crust and related partial melting; the thickening was caused by emplacement of ophiolitic nappes during collisional events.

Geology and Geochemistry of the Pre-early Cambrian Rocks in the Sandikli Area: Implications for the Pan-African Evolution of NW Gondwanaland

Abstract The pre-Early Cambrian Sandikli Basement Complex in western Central Anatolia comprises a low-grade meta-sedimentary succession (Guvercinoluk Formation) and meta-rhyolites intruded by meta-quartz porphyry rocks (Kestel Cayi Porphyroid Suite). The Guvercinoluk Formation consists of alternation of meta-siltstones and meta-sandstones with olistostromal conglomerates, rare black chert and cherty meta-dolomite lenses. The Kestel Cayi Porphyroid Suite is a deformed, highly sheared dome-shaped rhyolitic body with quartz porphyry rocks. Quartz porphyry dykes intrude both the volcanic carapace and the meta-sedimentary rocks of the Guvercinoluk Formation. Both the meta-quartz porphyry rocks and meta-rhyolites are typically mylonitic with relict igneous textures. Geochemical data indicate that the felsic rocks of the Kestel Cayi Porphyroid Suite are subalkaline and display characteristic features of post-collisional, I-type granitoids. The basement complex is unconformably overlain by variegated conglomerates, mudstones and arkosic sandstones with andesitic lavas, followed by siliciclastic rocks and carbonates that yielded Early Middle Cambrian fossils. Based on the geochemical characteristics of the felsic rocks of Kestel Cayi Porphyroid Suite and the depositional features of the associated sediments it is suggested that the Sandikli Basement Complex is related to a post-collisional extension event in NW Gondwanaland. Similar occurrences elsewhere have been related to a transition from continental plate convergence to continental plate divergence along the Pan-African Belt.

Geochemistry of Volcanic Rocks from the Çiçekdağ, Ophiolite, Central Anatolia, Turkey, and Their Inferred Tectonic Setting within the Northern Branch of the Neotethyan Ocean

Abstract The Central Anatolian Ophiolites (CAO) comprise a number of little studied Upper Cretaceous ophiolitic bodies that originally represented part of the northern branch of the Neotethyan ocean. The Çiçekdağ Ophiolite (CO) is an dismembered example of this ophiolite group that still retains a partially preserved magmatic pseudostratigraphy. The following units (bottom to top) can be recognized: (1) layered gabbro; (2) isotropic gabbro: (3) plagiogranite; (4) dolerite dyke complex; (5) basaltic volcanic sequence; and (6) a Turonian-Santonian epi-ophiolitic sedimentary cover. The magmatic rock units (gabbro, dolerite and basalt) form part of a dominant comagmatic series of differentiated tholeiites, together with a minor group of primitive unfractionated basalts. The basaltic volcanics mainly consist of pillow lavas with a subordinate amount of massive lavas and rare basaltic breccias. Petrographic data from the least altered pillow lavas indicate that they were originally olivine-poor, plagioclase-clinopyroxene phyric tholeiites. Immobile trace element data from the basalt lavas and dolerite dykes show a strong subduction-related chemical signature. Relative to N-mid-ocean ridge basalt the Çiçekdağ basaltic rocks (allowing for the effects of alteration) have typical suprasubduction zone features with similarities to the Izu-Bonin Arc, i.e. enriched in most large-ion lithophile elements, depleted in high field strength elements and exhibiting depleted light rare earth element patterns. The geochemical characteristics are similar to other eastern Mediterranean Neotethyan SSZ-type ophiolites and suggest that the CO oceanic crust was generated by partial melting of already depleted oceanic lithosphere within the northern branch of the Neotethyan ocean. The Çiçekdağ body, along with the other fragmented CAO, is thus representative of the Late Cretaceous development of new oceanic lithosphere within an older oceanic realm.