Morphotectonic evolution of the Kaş–Demre Karst Plateau: Cascade-type poljes, submerged poljes and Demre Stream Canyon, Western Taurus–Türkiye
Geomorphology, cilt.511, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 511
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110421
- Dergi Adı: Geomorphology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Artic & Antarctic Regions, Environment Index, Geobase, INSPEC, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Active tectonics, Demre Canyon, Neotectonic polje, Submerged polje, Western Taurus
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study focuses on the morphotectonic evolution of the Kaş–Demre Karst Plateau in the Western Taurus Mountains. The data were obtained through detailed mapping of faults, lithological units, and geomorphic features. An erosional surface developed in this area under compressional tectonic regime between the Langhian and the late Pliocene. Since the late Pliocene, and particularly from the beginning of the Quaternary, an extensional tectonic regime became dominant, leading to the formation of a series of horst–graben structures. During this period, while the region continued to undergo tectonic uplift, the antecedent Demre Stream began downcutting into the plateau. At the same time, cascade-type poljes developed within graben structures, and consequently, some section of the early Pliocene valleys were transformed into wind gaps on the horsts. The floors of the two youngest poljes located to the south of the cascade system subsided due to vertical displacement along the bounding faults, and therefore became submerged under the waters of Kekova and Kaleüçağız bays as a result of Holocene transgression. Submerged archaeological remains belonging to the ancient city of Dolchiste in Kekova Bay, together with a corrosional surface identified at a depth of −131 m within the Kekova polje, provide clear evidence for relative sea-level changes. The sediments (22 m thick) deposited on this corrosional surface indicate that the polje was submerged during the Last Interglacial Period and regained its polje characteristics during the Last Glacial Period.