Uplift of the western Anatolia and its relationship with crustal deformation

Abstract

A peneplain plateau, as a primary evidence for a recently elevated topography, represents the top surface of the western Anatolian crust that is deforming under an extensional regime. Vertical (up-flow) support of the hot mantle beneath the western Anatolia is responsible for the elevation of the crust. Residual topography anomaly models which indicate uplift of the crust and hence dynamic support of the mantle to the crust were calculated using useful sets of crustal thickness data. A distinct anomaly of a new residual topography model based on receiver functions in Anatolia marks an exhumed metamorphic core complex in the region. Mantle flow beneath the west Anatolian region is probably responsible for extensive exhumation of the metamorphic core complex and distributed extension in N–S direction. GPS velocities’ smooth differentiation indicates uniform diffusivity. Residual topography anomaly, which is one of the important pieces of evidence of the uplift, can also be compared with velocities related to diffuse N–S crustal extension in the region. Various pieces of evidence suggest strong relationships between the mantle dynamics, increased elevation, and extension of the crust in western Anatolia.