Paleoseismological and Morphotectonical Characteristics of Active Faults in the Vicinity of Muğla Area (SW Turkey)

Abstract

Turkey is seismically one of the most active regions of the world. The interaction of three major plates, Eurasia, Arabia and Africa, generates different neotectonic provinces in this region. The SW Anatolia, as part of the western extensional province, is mostly defined by E–W striking normal and NW–SE striking strike-slip and normal faults. We studied the morphotectonics and paleoseismological characteristics of these faults in order to have a better understanding on their seismic history and kinematic behavior. NW-striking Milas Fault is a right-lateral strike slip fault with a length of 50 km. Yatagan and Mugla faults are normal faults and they are almost parallel to the Milas Fault with 30 and 25 km length, respectively. The Gokova Fault is composed of E–W striking normal faults, which dip to the south and make the northern boundary of the Gokova Gulf. Geomorphic indices represent a weak signal for the tectonic activity of the Milas Fault, whereas the Yatagan Fault has a more intense impact on the geomorphology. Paleoseismological trench studies on both faults reveal that destructive earthquakes have occurred on Milas and Yatagan faults.