The role of intraplate strike-slip faults in shaping the surrounding morphology: The Ovacık Fault (eastern Turkey) as a case study

• Published in: Geomorphology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Vol. 321; pp. 129 - 145
• Main Authors: Yazıcı, Müge, Zabcı, Cengiz, Sançar, Taylan, Natalin, Boris A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.11.2018
• Subjects: Anatolia; Geomorphic indices; Ovacık Fault; Strike slip faults; Strike slip faults; Geomorphic indices; Anatolia; Ovacık Fault
• ISSN: 0169-555X; 1872-695X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.08.022

Although the westward extrusion of the Anatolian Block is mainly compensated along its boundary faults, the North Anatolian and the East Anatolian shear zones, it is internally deformed in a dominant manner by some strike-slip faults as well. To obtain a better understanding about this intraplate deformation of the Anatolian Block, we investigate the tectonic geomorphology of the Ovacık Fault (OF), which is the northeastern member of the Malatya-Ovacık Fault Zone (MOFZ). Further, we apply the most common geomorphic indices, such as the hypsometric curve and integral, longitudinal channel profiles, channel steepness and concavity, mountain front sinuosity, and valley height-width ratio to characterise and quantify the deformation along the OF and the surrounding region where the regional morphology is shaped with the joint effect of palaeo- and neotectonics and other morphological factors such as palaeoglacial processes. The highest hypsometric integral, steepness and concavity values are generally observed along the northeastern strand of the OF (the Munzur Mountains) and the Kemaliye Region. Further, we interpret that high HI and steepness values indicate a regional tectonic uplift because of either a change in fault geometry, which gives rise to the vertical component on the OF, or a regional high convergence zone. Furthermore, this study gives the first calculation of vertical uplift in the northern margin of the Ovacık Basin (OB) as at least 0.5 mm/y for long term deformation history. Thus, our results exhibit that the OF is one of the intraplate strike-slip faults of the Anatolian Block. •Our results support significant tectonic activity for the Ovacık Fault (OF).•The morphology of the northeastern sections of the OF is mainly controlled by palaeoglacials and karsts.•We used the basic geomorphic indices in order to understand the deformation pattern.•The style of deformation and morphological response changes along the strike of the OF.•The Munzur Mountains has a significant tectonic uplift at least 0.5 mm/yr.