Tectono-stratigraphical evolution of the Çankırı basin (Central Anatolia, Turkey)

Abstract

The Izmir-Ankara-Erzincan Suture Zone (IAESZ) demarcates the former position of the northern Neotethys ocean. Along the IAESZ, the Rhodope-Pontide fragments and Taurides collided and amalgamated in the Early Tertiary, leaving behind a number of basins with a thick in-fill that was accumulated during the subduction and collision processes. The <;:anklrl Basin is one of the largest of such Tertiary basins in Turkey and is located within the IAESZ. It is a unique area to study the subduction and collisionary processes and post-collisional history of central Anatolia, owing to a nearly complete sedimentary record from Late Cretaceous to Recent. This thesis presents an integrated stUdy concerning the Late Cretaceous to Recent tectono-stratigraphical evolution of the <;:anklrl Basin using stratigraphical studies, structural geology, kinematic analysis, paleomagnetic studies, 3D modeling, seismic interpretation and gravimetric analysis.