The Antalya Neogene Basins: a tentative tectonic synthesis

The creation and deformation of the three Antalya Neogene sub-basins are interpreted as the result of the westward escape of the Anatolian microplate consecutive to the Miocene collision in south-eastern Turkey. During Burdigalian-Langhian times, the Isparta Angle was still wide open, and no compressive deformation is recorded from that time. On the contrary, extension prevailed in the newly created Manavgat basin, as well as in the Mut and Adana basins, which separate Cyprus from the Anatolian inland. During the Langhian, the reactivation of the Kirkkavak fault (KKF) is evidenced by multiple intercalations of calcareous breccias along its strike. The result is the asymmetric deepening of the Köprüçay basin, as recorded by the eastward tilting of the basal Oymapinar limestone, and the subsequent onlap of the Langhian to Serravallian detritical sediment infill. During the Serravallian, deformation migrated to the west, leading to the closing of the Isparta Angle and the formation of a compressive basin, the Aksu basin in the axis of the angle. In the south, the Aksu basin unexpectedly contains HP-LT pebbles derived from the Alanya Massif, presently 100km to the south-east. A last transgressive episode occurred during the lower Tortonian, which reflects the end of KKF normal activity. At the end of the Tortonian, the westward displacement of the Anatolian microplate against the anticlockwise rotated Lycian block probably is responsible of the large imbrications affecting the Miocene sediments in the Aksu basin, and also of the reactivation of the KKF as a reverse fault in the Köprüçay basin. The Isparta Angle acquired its present shape then. During Pliocene, an ultimate westward compressive episode is recorded in the axis of the Isparta Angle by the imbrication of Miocene deposits upon Lower Pliocene fluviatile conglomerates within the Aksu basin. This event is followed by the general uplift of the Anatolian microplate.