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Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

Abstract

The tectonic framework of Northern Cyprus is presented in this study based on integrated fieldwork and paleoseismology. We identified multiple fault systems including the 214-km Dardere (Ovgos) Fault Zone (with seven segments), the Haspolat Transfer Fault, Mersinlik Fault, Yamaçköy Fault Zone, Boğazköy Fault, Alsancak Fault, and Geçitköy-Koruçam Fault Zone. Eleven paleoseismological trenches were excavated, with six yielding reliable results in terms of dating and stratigraphy. The results indicate recurrence intervals exceeding ~2500 years across different fault segments. The Dardere (Ovgos) Fault Zone shows the potential to generate earthquakes of up to Mw 7.80 with evidence of Holocene activity. The Haspolat Transfer Fault revealed f ive surface-rupturing earthquakes between 36100 ± 5500 BCE and 400 ± 300 CE. Our findings demonstrate that earthquake activity migrates across different faults through stress transfer mechanisms. The rapid tectonic uplift of Cyprus has resulted in accelerated erosion, complicating the preservation of Holocene sedimentary records in some locations. These results significantly enhance the understanding of regional seismic hazards and provide essential parameters for developing effective risk assessment frameworks for Northern Cyprus.

Author ORCID Identifier

HASAN ELMACI: 0000-0002-5076-1153

ŞULE GÜRBOĞA: 0000-0002-5225-5895

SELİM ÖZALP: 0000-0002-6755-4206

HASRET OZAN AVCI: 0000-0003-2142-5035

HAKAN AYDOĞAN: 0000-0002-7888-274X

AYHAN YAVUZOĞLU: 0000-0003-0230-2355

ALİ ATALAY YÜCE: 0009-0004-2132-9507

MERYEM KARA: 0009-0006-4927-6536

AHMET RASİMCAN ÖZTÜRKER: 0009-0001-3094-987X

DOI

10.55730/1300-0985.2022

Keywords

Northern Cyprus, paleoseismology, active faults, Dardere (Ovgos) Fault Zone

First Page

318

Last Page

335

Publisher

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK)

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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