TERRA NOVA, cilt.16, sa.6, ss.358-364, 2004 (SCI-Expanded)
The main exhumation of the Menderes massif, western Turkey, occurred along an originally N-dipping Datca-Kale main breakaway fault that controlled depositions in the Kale and the Gokova basins during the Oligocene - Early Miocene interval. The isostatically controlled upward bending of the main breakaway fault brings the lower plate rocks to the surface. In the Early Miocene, E-W-trending N- and S-dipping graben-bounding faults fragmented the exhumed, dome-shaped massif. The development of half grabens by rolling master fault hinges has allowed further exhumation of the central Menderes massif. After the Pliocene, high-angle normal faults cut all of the previous structures. This model suggests that the Menderes massif is a single large metamorphic core complex that has experienced a two-stage exhumation process.