Seismic stratigraphy of Late Quaternary sediments of western Mersin Bay shelf, (NE Mediterranean Sea)


Okyar M., Ergin M., Evans G.

MARINE GEOLOGY, vol.220, pp.113-130, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 220
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.margeo.2005.06.024
  • Journal Name: MARINE GEOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.113-130
  • Keywords: Holocene, Late-Quatemary, shallow seismic, depositional sequence, Cilicia Basin, Mersin Bay, CILICIA, HISTORY, TURKEY
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

High-resolution shallow seismic-reflection profiles obtained from the western Mersin Bay have revealed the existence of the two distinct depositional sequences (C and B) lying on a narrow and relatively steeply-sloping continental shelf which mainly receives its sediments from the ephemeral rivers. The upper Holocene sedimentary sequence (C) is characterized by stratified (simple to complex) to chaotic reflection configurations produced by the development of a prograding wedge of terrigenous sediment. Particular occurrences of slope- and front-fill facies and the lack of a sharp boundary, which has, however, been observed on the western shelf of this bay, between the Early Holocene and latest Pleistocene deposits are related to possible movement of underlying deposits due to local gravity mass movements or synsedimentary tectonics due to adjustment of the underlying evaporites in adjacent basin. The maximum thickness of the topmost sequence C is associated with the Tarsus-Seyhan delta, which lies to the northeast of the area and is prograding along the shelf Other variations in thickness (5-40 m) of this topmost sequence are related to the variable sediment discharge along the coast, and the distance from the coast. It is at a maximum (40 m) in the nearshore area just west of the Lamas river mouth and at a minimum (5-15 m) in the offshore area.