Neotectonic aspects of the northern margin of the Adana-Cilicia submarine basin, NE Mediterranean

The sedimentary basins that dominate the north-eastern Mediterranean (Adaila-Cilicia basins in the west and Iskenderun basin in the east) are located on the flanks of a partly submerged positive structure (a part of the Africa-Eurasia convergence zone) along which strike-slip faults are evident. This study summarizes the findings of two seismic surveys carried out in the Alanya-Mersin offshore region. Some 850km of geophysical survey lines were compiled on these cruises. Based on the results determined from these surveys, the north and central part of Adana-Cilicia basin can be subdivided into eastern, central and western structural sub-basins separated by the Ecemis fault complex in the east and the Anamur-Kormakiti structural high in the west at the same time. Results of this study also indicate that Ecemis and Anamur-Kormakiti faults are active. Late Miocene regional compression was responsible for the compartmentation of this complex into the present arrangement and has initiated the rotational regime which has governed subsequent tectonic developments, notably the extensional behaviour of the NE-SW trending Ecemis and Anamur-Kormakiti faults and the transpressive behaviour of the NNE-SSW trending border fault complex