Normal fault growth and linkage in the Gediz (Alaehir) Graben, Western Turkey, revealed by transient river long-profiles and slope-break knickpoints
File(s)Emiko_final_untypset.pdf (5.19 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Kent, E
Boulton, SJ
Whittaker, AC
Stewart, IS
Alcicek, MC
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The Gediz (Alaşehir) Graben is located in the highly tectonically active and seismogenic region of Western Turkey. The rivers upstream of the normal fault-bounded graben each contain a non-lithologic knickpoint, including those that drain through inferred fault segment boundaries. Knickpoint heights measured vertically from the fault scale with footwall relief and documented fault throw (vertical displacement). Consequently, we deduce these knickpoints were initiated by an increase in slip rate on the basin-bounding fault, driven by linkage of the three main fault segments of the high-angle graben bounding fault array. Fault interaction theory and ratios of channel steepness suggest that the slip rate enhancement factor on linkage was a factor of 3. We combine this information with geomorphic and structural constraints to estimate that linkage took place between 0.6 Ma and 1 Ma. Calculated pre- and post-linkage throw rates are 0.6 and 2 mm/yr respectively. Maximum knickpoint retreat rates upstream of the faults range from 4.5 to 28 mm/yr, faster than for similar catchments upstream of normal faults in the Central Apennines and the Hatay Graben of Turkey, and implying a fluvial landscape response time of 1.6 to 2.7 Myr. We explore the relative controls of drainage area and precipitation on these retreat rates, and conclude that while climate variation and fault throw rate partially explain the variations seen, lithology remains a potentially important but poorly characterised variable.
Date Issued
2016-10-17
Date Acceptance
2016-09-08
Citation
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, 2016, 42 (5), pp.836-852
ISSN
0197-9337
Publisher
WILEY
Start Page
836
End Page
852
Journal / Book Title
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
Volume
42
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This is the accepted version of the following article: Kent, E., Boulton, S. J., Whittaker, A. C., Stewart, I. S., and Cihat Alçiçek, M. (2017) Normal fault growth and linkage in the Gediz (Alaşehir) Graben, Western Turkey, revealed by transient river long-profiles and slope-break knickpoints. Earth Surf. Process. Landforms, 42: 836–852. doi: 10.1002/esp.4049, which has been published in final form at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.4049
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000398676700011&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Geography, Physical
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Physical Geography
Geology
knickpoint
knickzone
normal faults
active faulting
rivers
ACTIVE NORMAL FAULTS
MENDOCINO TRIPLE JUNCTION
MENDERES MASSIF
SW TURKEY
TECTONIC EVOLUTION
LANDSCAPE RESPONSE
ALASEHIR GRABEN
LONGITUDINAL PROFILES
EXTENSIONAL TECTONICS
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Geography
0403 Geology
0406 Physical Geography And Environmental Geoscience
Publication Status
Published