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Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

DOI

10.3906/yer-0911-50

Abstract

The Karadere segment of the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) is the easternmost part that ruptured during the 17 August 1999 İzmit earthquake (Mw 7.4). It has a different orientation, at N65°E to other segments which have a nearly E-W trend, and lesser dextral displacement, with maximum 2.3 m in contrast with 5.2 m in the ruptured neighbouring western segment. Two palaeoseismological trenches, at Kazimiye and Karadere sites, were excavated on the central part of the Karadere segment to determine the timing of past earthquakes. Excavation of the Kazimiye site revealed the occurrence of five past events since the 4th century A.D., including the 1999 İzmit earthquake. The oldest event occurred after A.D. 231-407 and before A.D. 420-584 based on 14C dating results. This event may correspond to either the A.D. 358 earthquake or the A.D. 554 historical earthquake. The younger three events predate 1999 and postdate A.D. 420-584. At the Karadere trench site, three past events, including the 1999 İzmit earthquake, were identified. The penultimate event was observed on the trench wall and dated to be after A.D. 1298-1370. The older event is dated as before A.D. 1150-1261, which may correspond to one of the determined events in the Kazimiye trench. In summary, palaeoseismological data provide evidence for at least five large earthquakes on the Karadere segment since A.D. 231-407, including the 1999 İzmit earthquake.

Keywords

North Anatolian Fault, earthquake, Karadere segment, palaeoseismology, 1999 İzmit earthquake

First Page

395

Last Page

410

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