Geology of the Eastern Anatolian Plateau (Turkey): a synthesis

The Eastern Anatolian Plateau (EAP), approximately 2000 m above sea level, is located between the Pontides to north, Arabian Platform south, and Iranian east. It characterized by 6 km-thick Maastrichtian Quaternary volcano-sedimentary cover which unconformably overlies continental oceanic basement units. Overall, outcrops of pre-Maastrichtian are rare include both This led drastically different interpretations nature as (i) accretionary complex or (ii) crust overlying ophiolitic mélange. synthesis deals with relationships units in light recent geological, geophysical, geochemical studies. Geophysical studies consistently indicate presence a spatially thickened lateral variation ranging from 38 52 km. Seismological models estimate lithospheric thicknesses be range 70-80 km, suggesting rather thinned lithosphere. late Cretaceous high-T/low-P metamorphic rocks, intruded basic acidic intrusions at base. Protoliths rocks can closely correlated those Anatolide-Tauride Block, probably representing metamorphosed equivalents Block. crustal also testified metasyenite -granite igneous crystallization ages 430-440 Ma. Late mélanges locally intact tracks ophiolite forearc deposits tectonically sit over rocks. These form part North belt, related İzmir-Ankara-Erzincan suture. overlie units, collisional postcollisional basin fills. Available geochemical, geophysical data suggest pre- that comprises domain an mélange beneath Masstrichtian cover.