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Nacar Trench

Nacar Trench Site Location

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Maps, Aerial Views, Photomosaics, Trench Logs, and Photos
Maps, Aerial Views, Photomosaics, Trench Logs, and Photos

Maps

Fault and Fault Motion Map

Fig. 8

Shaded relief map of southwestern part of EAF (30 m resolution SRTM data), showing the active faults in red.
  • C, Çelikhan
  • G, Gölbası
  • K, Kahramanmaras
  • O, Osmaniye
  • G, Gaziantep
  • A, Antakya
  • T, Türkoglu
Numbers are the slip rates obtained by geological–palaeoseismological studies (black) and GPS studies (blue). Sources for the slip rates:
  1. Altunel et al. (2009), Karabacak et al. (2010)
  2. Karabacak (2007), Rojay et al. (2001)
  3. this study
  4. Aktug et al. (2016)
  5. Mahmoud et al. (2013), Aktug et al. (2016)
  6. Mahmoud et al. (2013), Aktug et al. (2016)
Yönlü and Karabacak (2023)

Seismotectonic Framework Map

Fig. 1

  1. Main seismotectonic framework of the Eastern Mediterranean region with the movement of Arabia (Ar) and Anatolia relative to Eurasia (Eu).

    • NAF, North Anatolian Fault
    • EAF, East Anatolian Fault
    • DSF, Dead Sea Fault

  2. Simplified map of the major active tectonic structures of East Anatolia, superimposed on shaded relief map derived from 30 m resolution Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data. Stars show the epicentres of the 6 February 2023 Pazarcık (MW = 7.7) and Elbistan (MW = 7.6) Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.
Source: faults simplified and changed after Emre et al. (2013)

Yönlü and Karabacak (2023)

Location Map

Fig. 8.1

Distribution of fault excavation areas in the study area

Karabacak et al. (2012)

Aerial Views

3D View of Nacar Trench Sites in Google Earth

Nacar Trench Site Location

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PhotoMosaics, Trench Logs, and Photos

Location Maps

Wide View

Fig. 8.1

Distribution of fault excavation areas in the study area

Karabacak et al. (2012)

Closeup

Fig. 8.11

Location of the Nacar trench opened in the northeast of Yavuz Sultan Selim Mah

Karabacak et al. (2012)

Photomosaic

Fig. 8.13a

General view of the southeast wall of the Nacar Trench

Older units and ophiolites are observed in the NW and SE of the trench, and young sedimentary units cut by faults are observed in the 8-meter zone between these units

Karabacak et al. (2012)

Trench Log

  • from Karabacak et al. (2012)
  • Olay = Event, Hendek Tabani = Trench Bottom, ornek yerleri = sample locations, M.S. = A.D., M.O. = B.C., KB=NW, GD=SE
Fig. 8.13b

Log of the southeast wall of the Nacar Trench

Older units and ophiolites are observed in the NW and SE of the trench, and young sedimentary units cut by faults are observed in the 8-meter zone between these units

Karabacak et al. (2012)

Photos

General view of the trench area

Fig. 8.12

General view of the trench area. Red arrows indicate fault extension, blue arrows indicate a large left lateral offset in the stream bed, and yellow flags indicate the trench location. (viewing direction south)

Karabacak et al. (2012)

Chronology
Event 1

Discussion

Karabacak et al. (2012:310-315) observed multiple seismic events in the Nacar Trench. Their analysis focused on the three most recent events, noting that the fault planes' 10-30° inclination indicated a compressional component in addition to strike-slip. Event 1 was the oldest of the 3.

References

References

Karabacak et al. (2012)

Nacar trench, between Gölbaÿÿ District and Kartal Village (Figure 8.1) in the Pazarcÿk District, was opened in the north part of of Yavuz Sultan Selim Neighborhood in Nacar Village in the northeast. (Figure 8.11). Before opening the trench, the land was examined in detail and fault mapping was carried out. In this area, the fault line is generally observed between the Eocene units and the ophiolite Areas where the extension cuts the current sediments were determined and traces of past major earthquakes were found. A suitable area was selected where the fault line could be determined (Figure 8.12). Near the trench area, A young stream bed offset approximately 6 meters to the left along its extension (Figure 5.8, southwestmost stream bed). Associated with the latest surface ruptures Considering that this could be the case, an excavation area was selected near this young stream bed. A trench was dug perpendicular to the fault line approximately 30-40 m northeast of the offset.

The trench excavation was approximately 15 m long and 2 m wide in the direction of N30W. It was excavated to a depth of 2.3 m. In the north and south of the opened trench there are old units and A fault zone of approximately 10 meters was detected between the units, cutting the younger units. (Figure 8.13a). During the excavation, the southwest wall of the trench collapsed. Excavation was carried out on the northeast wall and only the northeast wall could be logged. A total of 13 different units were identified in the trench wall (Figure 8.13b). The units observed in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the trench are ophiolite; the other units are sedimentary units. Relatively, the sedimentary units are towards the southeast of the trench. It was observed that the youngest units were red sandstone in the southeast of the trench. It was determined that there is a faulted contact with the sedimentary units (Figure 8.13b). It consists of clay and coarse-grained material in the clay and is located in the area where the trench is opened. It has more or less the same slope as the current topography (Figure 8.13b). The units observed in the trench General features are presented below.

  • Unit a is an ophiolite. It is seen in the northwest and southeast of the trench and is formed by the fault. The space between this unit is filled by other sedimentary units. The southeastern part of the trench, close to the fault zone, is intensely altered.

  • Unit b is a clayey unit containing medium-sized pebbles that can be easily distinguished from other units by their red color. It is a silty sand unit. The unit does not show any layering within itself. Its contact with unit a Although it presents an inclined plane appearance, it is not clear whether it is faulted or not. The unit is in the northwest section is cut by the fault.

  • Unit c is a very hard and compact clay containing large and angular ophiolite blocks. Both It is bordered by a fault at its edge

  • Unit d is located above Unit c. Dense amounts of ophiolite and weathered ophiolite This unit is interpreted as a decomposition zone.

  • Unit e; is a sandy, compact clay with a brick-red color and a small amount of gravel. Its color is probably b It is taken from the pieces separated from the unit. The upper limit of the unit observed at the trench bottom is to the south. It is inclined and corrugated.

  • Unit f is located above unit e. It contains large ophiolite blocks and coarse and angular gravels. It consists of clay. It does not show sub-stratification within itself. Its lower and upper boundaries It is corrugated.

  • Unit g is a dark brown clay with medium-sized pebbles. It contains different gravel levels. It is overlain by the current soil unit. Its upper limit is quite corrugated. Its formation shows that the current soil was deposited after a certain erosion process.

  • Unit h is observed at the bottom between the 5th and 7th meters of the trench. Reddish soil It consists of clay in color. It consists of gravels separated from the ophyllite within itself. These levels slope slightly to the north.

  • Unit i, the level above unit h is grey-blue in colour and contains coarse ophiolite. It consists of clayey sand with small amounts of gravel and occasionally blocks. The gravel It exhibits a nice distribution.

  • Unit j is located above unit i. It is light brown in color and consists of large ophiolite blocks. It consists of sandy clay containing. It is parallel to the current topography slope and in the same direction. It is the youngest unit after the soil level in the trench wall. Current soil is covered by.

Many fault planes cutting young and old units were revealed in the opened trench. (Figure 8.14). As a result of faulting, many different units are formed in a narrow area of approximately 8-10 meters. The fact that they come together shows that the fault has been using the same planes for a very long time. In addition, the fault planes observed in the trench diverge to the southeast with angles varying between 10-30°. The fact that the fault is inclined indicates that in this area, there is a compressional component in addition to the strike-slip component. also shows its existence. In the direction measurements made on the fault planes, N60E There are faults with N10E and N35E directions, as well as fractures with N10E and N35E directions. These fractures were probably formed during surface faulting in areas close to the surface. are fractures developed within loose units. At least the last 3 surfaces on the trench wall.

Events that may correspond to the faulting event have been distinguished (Figure 8.13b). Other fractures Although they extend to the current soil, they are located in old units and probably as a young event due to their occurrence in the upper parts as a result of erosion has not been evaluated. In addition, even if these fractures are old fractures, the last few surface faults They may have been reactivated in the event and new displacements may have occurred on them. The young events identified on the trench wall are described below.

  • Event number 1 is observed approximately 5 meters into the trench. From the bottom of the trench, The fault that cuts the i units ends under the j unit. The faulting is 36 cm vertical in the h unit. causes displacement.

  • Event number 2 was determined by the fractures in the 7th and 8th meters of the trench. This event It cuts the units e and f from the base and ends in the unit g Since it does not create any displacement or fracture in the gravel level within the unit, faulting in this It was determined that the level did not exceed.

  • Event number 3 is the youngest event identified on the trench wall. It is located to the left of unit b and Traces are seen on the main fault branch bordering the unit. The event cutting h, i and j units covered by the current soil. Also, there is about 20 cm between units b and j. It is evident with its wide fault fill. Another fracture belonging to the same event is in the 6th trench. It brings together different units in its meter and ends under the current soil. This Faulting probably follows previous fractures and in the last event reached the surface is reaching.

Event 2

Discussion

Karabacak et al. (2012:310-315) observed multiple seismic events in the Nacar Trench. Their analysis focused on the three most recent events, noting that the fault planes' 10-30° inclination indicated a compressional component in addition to strike-slip. Event 2 struck between Events 1 and 3.

References

References

Karabacak et al. (2012)

Nacar trench, between Gölbaÿÿ District and Kartal Village (Figure 8.1) in the Pazarcÿk District, was opened in the north part of of Yavuz Sultan Selim Neighborhood in Nacar Village in the northeast. (Figure 8.11). Before opening the trench, the land was examined in detail and fault mapping was carried out. In this area, the fault line is generally observed between the Eocene units and the ophiolite Areas where the extension cuts the current sediments were determined and traces of past major earthquakes were found. A suitable area was selected where the fault line could be determined (Figure 8.12). Near the trench area, A young stream bed offset approximately 6 meters to the left along its extension (Figure 5.8, southwestmost stream bed). Associated with the latest surface ruptures Considering that this could be the case, an excavation area was selected near this young stream bed. A trench was dug perpendicular to the fault line approximately 30-40 m northeast of the offset.

The trench excavation was approximately 15 m long and 2 m wide in the direction of N30W. It was excavated to a depth of 2.3 m. In the north and south of the opened trench there are old units and A fault zone of approximately 10 meters was detected between the units, cutting the younger units. (Figure 8.13a). During the excavation, the southwest wall of the trench collapsed. Excavation was carried out on the northeast wall and only the northeast wall could be logged. A total of 13 different units were identified in the trench wall (Figure 8.13b). The units observed in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the trench are ophiolite; the other units are sedimentary units. Relatively, the sedimentary units are towards the southeast of the trench. It was observed that the youngest units were red sandstone in the southeast of the trench. It was determined that there is a faulted contact with the sedimentary units (Figure 8.13b). It consists of clay and coarse-grained material in the clay and is located in the area where the trench is opened. It has more or less the same slope as the current topography (Figure 8.13b). The units observed in the trench General features are presented below.

  • Unit a is an ophiolite. It is seen in the northwest and southeast of the trench and is formed by the fault. The space between this unit is filled by other sedimentary units. The southeastern part of the trench, close to the fault zone, is intensely altered.

  • Unit b is a clayey unit containing medium-sized pebbles that can be easily distinguished from other units by their red color. It is a silty sand unit. The unit does not show any layering within itself. Its contact with unit a Although it presents an inclined plane appearance, it is not clear whether it is faulted or not. The unit is in the northwest section is cut by the fault.

  • Unit c is a very hard and compact clay containing large and angular ophiolite blocks. Both It is bordered by a fault at its edge

  • Unit d is located above Unit c. Dense amounts of ophiolite and weathered ophiolite This unit is interpreted as a decomposition zone.

  • Unit e; is a sandy, compact clay with a brick-red color and a small amount of gravel. Its color is probably b It is taken from the pieces separated from the unit. The upper limit of the unit observed at the trench bottom is to the south. It is inclined and corrugated.

  • Unit f is located above unit e. It contains large ophiolite blocks and coarse and angular gravels. It consists of clay. It does not show sub-stratification within itself. Its lower and upper boundaries It is corrugated.

  • Unit g is a dark brown clay with medium-sized pebbles. It contains different gravel levels. It is overlain by the current soil unit. Its upper limit is quite corrugated. Its formation shows that the current soil was deposited after a certain erosion process.

  • Unit h is observed at the bottom between the 5th and 7th meters of the trench. Reddish soil It consists of clay in color. It consists of gravels separated from the ophyllite within itself. These levels slope slightly to the north.

  • Unit i, the level above unit h is grey-blue in colour and contains coarse ophiolite. It consists of clayey sand with small amounts of gravel and occasionally blocks. The gravel It exhibits a nice distribution.

  • Unit j is located above unit i. It is light brown in color and consists of large ophiolite blocks. It consists of sandy clay containing. It is parallel to the current topography slope and in the same direction. It is the youngest unit after the soil level in the trench wall. Current soil is covered by.

Many fault planes cutting young and old units were revealed in the opened trench. (Figure 8.14). As a result of faulting, many different units are formed in a narrow area of approximately 8-10 meters. The fact that they come together shows that the fault has been using the same planes for a very long time. In addition, the fault planes observed in the trench diverge to the southeast with angles varying between 10-30°. The fact that the fault is inclined indicates that in this area, there is a compressional component in addition to the strike-slip component. also shows its existence. In the direction measurements made on the fault planes, N60E There are faults with N10E and N35E directions, as well as fractures with N10E and N35E directions. These fractures were probably formed during surface faulting in areas close to the surface. are fractures developed within loose units. At least the last 3 surfaces on the trench wall.

Events that may correspond to the faulting event have been distinguished (Figure 8.13b). Other fractures Although they extend to the current soil, they are located in old units and probably as a young event due to their occurrence in the upper parts as a result of erosion has not been evaluated. In addition, even if these fractures are old fractures, the last few surface faults They may have been reactivated in the event and new displacements may have occurred on them. The young events identified on the trench wall are described below.

  • Event number 1 is observed approximately 5 meters into the trench. From the bottom of the trench, The fault that cuts the i units ends under the j unit. The faulting is 36 cm vertical in the h unit. causes displacement.

  • Event number 2 was determined by the fractures in the 7th and 8th meters of the trench. This event It cuts the units e and f from the base and ends in the unit g Since it does not create any displacement or fracture in the gravel level within the unit, faulting in this It was determined that the level did not exceed.

  • Event number 3 is the youngest event identified on the trench wall. It is located to the left of unit b and Traces are seen on the main fault branch bordering the unit. The event cutting h, i and j units covered by the current soil. Also, there is about 20 cm between units b and j. It is evident with its wide fault fill. Another fracture belonging to the same event is in the 6th trench. It brings together different units in its meter and ends under the current soil. This Faulting probably follows previous fractures and in the last event reached the surface is reaching.

Event 3

Discussion

Karabacak et al. (2012:310-315) observed multiple seismic events in the Nacar Trench. Their analysis focused on the three most recent events, noting that the fault planes' 10-30° inclination indicated a compressional component in addition to strike-slip. Event 3 was identified as the most recent. Radiocarbon and OSL dates from sedimentary units above and below the event horizon suggest this event may have occurred during one of the 1114/5 CE Mamistra and Marash earthquakes.

References

References

Karabacak et al. (2012)

Nacar trench, between Gölbaÿÿ District and Kartal Village (Figure 8.1) in the Pazarcÿk District, was opened in the north part of of Yavuz Sultan Selim Neighborhood in Nacar Village in the northeast. (Figure 8.11). Before opening the trench, the land was examined in detail and fault mapping was carried out. In this area, the fault line is generally observed between the Eocene units and the ophiolite Areas where the extension cuts the current sediments were determined and traces of past major earthquakes were found. A suitable area was selected where the fault line could be determined (Figure 8.12). Near the trench area, A young stream bed offset approximately 6 meters to the left along its extension (Figure 5.8, southwestmost stream bed). Associated with the latest surface ruptures Considering that this could be the case, an excavation area was selected near this young stream bed. A trench was dug perpendicular to the fault line approximately 30-40 m northeast of the offset.

The trench excavation was approximately 15 m long and 2 m wide in the direction of N30W. It was excavated to a depth of 2.3 m. In the north and south of the opened trench there are old units and A fault zone of approximately 10 meters was detected between the units, cutting the younger units. (Figure 8.13a). During the excavation, the southwest wall of the trench collapsed. Excavation was carried out on the northeast wall and only the northeast wall could be logged. A total of 13 different units were identified in the trench wall (Figure 8.13b). The units observed in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the trench are ophiolite; the other units are sedimentary units. Relatively, the sedimentary units are towards the southeast of the trench. It was observed that the youngest units were red sandstone in the southeast of the trench. It was determined that there is a faulted contact with the sedimentary units (Figure 8.13b). It consists of clay and coarse-grained material in the clay and is located in the area where the trench is opened. It has more or less the same slope as the current topography (Figure 8.13b). The units observed in the trench General features are presented below.

  • Unit a is an ophiolite. It is seen in the northwest and southeast of the trench and is formed by the fault. The space between this unit is filled by other sedimentary units. The southeastern part of the trench, close to the fault zone, is intensely altered.

  • Unit b is a clayey unit containing medium-sized pebbles that can be easily distinguished from other units by their red color. It is a silty sand unit. The unit does not show any layering within itself. Its contact with unit a Although it presents an inclined plane appearance, it is not clear whether it is faulted or not. The unit is in the northwest section is cut by the fault.

  • Unit c is a very hard and compact clay containing large and angular ophiolite blocks. Both It is bordered by a fault at its edge

  • Unit d is located above Unit c. Dense amounts of ophiolite and weathered ophiolite This unit is interpreted as a decomposition zone.

  • Unit e; is a sandy, compact clay with a brick-red color and a small amount of gravel. Its color is probably b It is taken from the pieces separated from the unit. The upper limit of the unit observed at the trench bottom is to the south. It is inclined and corrugated.

  • Unit f is located above unit e. It contains large ophiolite blocks and coarse and angular gravels. It consists of clay. It does not show sub-stratification within itself. Its lower and upper boundaries It is corrugated.

  • Unit g is a dark brown clay with medium-sized pebbles. It contains different gravel levels. It is overlain by the current soil unit. Its upper limit is quite corrugated. Its formation shows that the current soil was deposited after a certain erosion process.

  • Unit h is observed at the bottom between the 5th and 7th meters of the trench. Reddish soil It consists of clay in color. It consists of gravels separated from the ophyllite within itself. These levels slope slightly to the north.

  • Unit i, the level above unit h is grey-blue in colour and contains coarse ophiolite. It consists of clayey sand with small amounts of gravel and occasionally blocks. The gravel It exhibits a nice distribution.

  • Unit j is located above unit i. It is light brown in color and consists of large ophiolite blocks. It consists of sandy clay containing. It is parallel to the current topography slope and in the same direction. It is the youngest unit after the soil level in the trench wall. Current soil is covered by.

Many fault planes cutting young and old units were revealed in the opened trench. (Figure 8.14). As a result of faulting, many different units are formed in a narrow area of approximately 8-10 meters. The fact that they come together shows that the fault has been using the same planes for a very long time. In addition, the fault planes observed in the trench diverge to the southeast with angles varying between 10-30°. The fact that the fault is inclined indicates that in this area, there is a compressional component in addition to the strike-slip component. also shows its existence. In the direction measurements made on the fault planes, N60E There are faults with N10E and N35E directions, as well as fractures with N10E and N35E directions. These fractures were probably formed during surface faulting in areas close to the surface. are fractures developed within loose units. At least the last 3 surfaces on the trench wall.

Events that may correspond to the faulting event have been distinguished (Figure 8.13b). Other fractures Although they extend to the current soil, they are located in old units and probably as a young event due to their occurrence in the upper parts as a result of erosion has not been evaluated. In addition, even if these fractures are old fractures, the last few surface faults They may have been reactivated in the event and new displacements may have occurred on them. The young events identified on the trench wall are described below.

  • Event number 1 is observed approximately 5 meters into the trench. From the bottom of the trench, The fault that cuts the i units ends under the j unit. The faulting is 36 cm vertical in the h unit. causes displacement.

  • Event number 2 was determined by the fractures in the 7th and 8th meters of the trench. This event It cuts the units e and f from the base and ends in the unit g Since it does not create any displacement or fracture in the gravel level within the unit, faulting in this It was determined that the level did not exceed.

  • Event number 3 is the youngest event identified on the trench wall. It is located to the left of unit b and Traces are seen on the main fault branch bordering the unit. The event cutting h, i and j units covered by the current soil. Also, there is about 20 cm between units b and j. It is evident with its wide fault fill. Another fracture belonging to the same event is in the 6th trench. It brings together different units in its meter and ends under the current soil. This Faulting probably follows previous fractures and in the last event reached the surface is reaching.

Master Seismic Events Table
Master Seismic Events Table

References
References