Fluvio-karstic evolution of the Taşeli Plateau (Central Taurus, Turkey)

Abstract

Uplift history is an important factor in the structural patterns and karstification of the Taşeli Plateau. The morphological development of the study area consists of five stages according to its sedimentation, rotation, uplift, and climatic properties. (1) Shallow carbonates accumulated during the Early Miocene. (2) An emersion and drainage network developed as a result of the compressional neotectonic regime in the Late Miocene. (3) Dense joint systems were formed due to the ~40° clockwise rotation of the eastern limb of the Isparta Angle. (4) The climate of the study area changed as a result of rapid uplift from Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene. This caused the formation of dry valleys, underground karstification on the plateau surface, and headward erosion of rivers in the southern part of the area. (5) In the last stage, the plateau surface was densely covered by solution dolines and the dry valley network turned into relict valleys due to expanding extensional cracks during Pleistocene.