Gediz Graben Sistemine Ait Akçapınar ve Salihli Segmentlerinin Paleosismolojik Hendek Çalışmaları ile İncelenmesi
Özet
The Gediz Graben is about 140 km long and oriented in the NW-SE direction, and it is a
highly active tectonic graben. This area, forming boundary with the Bozdağ Horst, is
surrounded by prominent normal faults cutting through Plio-Quaternary alluvial fans.
This depression area, irrigated by the Gediz River and hosting many civilizations
throughout history, has confronted all residing civilizations with the reality of
earthquakes. Especially cities like Sart Ancient City, which were significant settlements
of their time, have been abandoned due to earthquakes.
To better understand the faults causing these earthquakes, morphometric analyses were
conducted in 174 drainage basins belonging to the Bozdağ Horst. These analyses
determined that the southern margin of the Gediz Graben is highly active.
In light of these findings, two paleoseismological trenches were opened on the Akçapınar Salihli segments, identified as seismic gaps. In each trench, traces of two ancient
earthquakes were found. These earthquakes, dated using the 14C dating method, are
observed to coincide with historical earthquakes that affected the Sardes Ancient City.
