FACIES CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTROL MECHANISMS OF QUATERNARY

Although there are several studies discussing the pre-Neogene development of the Tuz Gölü basin, which is the largest terrestrial basin in Turkey, investigations delineating the characteristics of the Neogene and particularly Quaternary period of this basin are quite limited. Whereas studies regarding such periods of the basin are quite informative for both active tectonics and climate change issues that are of significant public concern. In this study, results of field observations on temporal and spatial characteristics of Quaternary deposits in the Tuz Gölü Basin and processes controlling these features are presented. For this, as a result of sequence studies conducted in 17 different areas, Quaternary units were described and examined under 12 lithofacies and 5 facies units. Facies properties imply that tectonism is spatially determinant factor whilst climate is the dominant controlling mechanism in the Quaternary evolution