Central Anatolian Plateau, Turkey: incision and paleoaltimetry recorded from volcanic rocks

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AYDAR E., ÇUBUKÇU H. E., ŞEN E., AKIN L.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF EARTH SCIENCES, vol.22, no.5, pp.739-746, 2013 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 22 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Doi Number: 10.3906/yer-1211-8
  • Journal Name: TURKISH JOURNAL OF EARTH SCIENCES
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.739-746
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The erosion/incision patterns of radiometrically well-constrained volcanic rocks provide excellent markers for revealing the landscape evolution. The Central Anatolian High Plateau represents an uplifted area that reaches up to 1500 m above sea level and includes the Cappadocian Volcanic Province (CVP). The CVP is composed of horizontally emplaced Neogene-Quaternary ignimbrites intercalated with lava flows and epiclastic continental sediments. River incision rates have been calculated using the morphological/paleoaltimetric features of radiometrically well-constrained volcanic units in the area. Starting from 10 Ma until 5 Ma, there was no major erosion or incision. The morphology, uplift rate, and incision rates of the CVP reveal that the onset of uplift is post 8 Ma and incision started after 5 Ma. Between 5 and 2.5 Ma, the incision rate is computed as 0.12 mm/year, whereas, in the last 2.5 Ma, the incision rate slowed down to 0.04 mm/year.