HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF THE GEOLOGICAL RESEARCHES IN THE MENDERES MASSIF

Year 2011, Volume: 142 Issue: 142, 1 - 23, 01.11.2011

O. Özcan Dora

Abstract

- The Pan-African basement of Menderes Massif is made up of homogenous paragneiss and schist
units (metaclastic sequence) which are intruded by metagabbros and gneisses derived from different types of
granites. The basement is unconformably overlain by lower Palaeozoic metaclastic series consisting of quartzite
and metaconglomerate at the lowest level. They show a transition into schists, and the Palaeozoic sequence ends
with Permo-Carboniferous black marbles of Göktepe formation. Both basement and Palaeozoic sequence are
intruded by lower Triassic leucocratic granites which were converted into orthogneisses by Alpine metamorphism.
The Mesozoic series of the Menderes Massif begins with upper Triassic meta-sandstone/metaconglomerate
intercalation and continues with Jurassic to Cretaceous dolomites and massive marbles. Platform-type massive
marbles with metabauxite lenses and well-preserved rudist fossils at the uppermost levels are conformably
overlain by late Campanian - late Maastrichtian reddish pelagic marbles. Flysch-type middle Paleocene metaolistostrome
forms the uppermost unit of cover series. The protoliths of clastic sediments of the Pan-African
basement consisting of paragneiss and conformably overlying schist units were deposited on a passive continental
margin. The zircon ages of the granitoids intersecting this clastic sequence are restricted to a time range
between 570 and 520 Ma with an average of about 550 Ma. The polyphase metamorphic evolution of the basement
under granulite (583 ± 5,7 Ma), eclogite (529,9 ± 22 Ma) and Barrowian-type medium-pressure conditions
(average 540 Ma) are related with the Pan-African Orogeny. The isotopic data including the ages of detrital zircons
(592-3229 Ma) of paragneiss and schist units, the intrusion ages of granitoids and the age of granulite facies
metamorphism constrain an age for the deposition of protoliths of metaclastic sequence between 592-580 Ma,
Lower Late Neoproterozoic. In Eocene time, Pan-African basement and cover series were affected by Barrowiantype
Alpine metamorphism under greenschist, lower amphibolite facies conditions, traditionally called as the 'Main
Menderes Metamorphism. However, new HP/LT evidence found in Mesozoic cover series reveals that this metamorphism
is more complex than it was considered. It is generally accepted by many researchers that the
exhumation of the Menderes Massif as a core complex is related with the extensional tectonic regime. It is
assumed that there is a genetic relation between the intrusion of Eðrigöz - Koyunoba granites and the detachment
fault in the northern part of the Menderes Massif. Furthermore; to the South of the Massif, it is suggested
that the old thrust fault between the Menderes Massif and Lycian Nappes reworked as a detachment fault during
the exhumation. The reason of extension in the region is the thermal weakness in the thickened crust made by
the magmatism developed after the the collusion of Anatolide-Tauride platforms and the Sakarya continent. The
intrusion ages of Eðrigöz and Koyunoba granitoids are 20-21 Ma and the detachment fault was active during 25-
19 Ma. In addition, the symmetric core complex formation in the central submassif was carried out in the middlelate
Miocene. Pliocene to recent active graben faults intersect the detachment faults.

Keywords

Menderes Massif, Pan-African and Alpine metamorphism, young exhumation

References

• Akkök, R., 1983. Structural and metamorphic evolution of the northern part of the Menderes Massif. New data from Derbent area and their implications fort he tectonics of the massif. Journay Geology, 91, pp.342-350
• Ashworth, J. R. and Evirgen, M., 1984. Mineral chemistry of regional chloritoid assemblages in the Chlorite Zone, Lycian Nappes, south-west Turkey, Mineralogical Magazine, 48, pp. 159- 165.
• Bozkurt, E., 2001. Late Alpin evolution of the central Menderes Massif, western Turkey. International Journal Earth Science, 89, pp.728-744.
• ,2004. Granitoid rocks of the southern Menderes Massif: field evidence for Tertiary magmatism in an extensional shear zone. International Journal of Earth Science, 93, 52-71.
• Bozkurt, E., Park, R.G. and Winchester, J.A., 1993. Evidence against the core/cover interpretation of the southern sector of the Menderes Massif, west Turkey. Terra Nova 5, pp.445-451.
• and , 1994. Southern Menderes Massif: an incipient metamorphic core complex in Western Anatolia, Turkey. Journal Geological Society London, 151, pp.213-216.
• and , 1997. Evolution of a mid-tertiary extensional shear zone in the southern Menderes Massif, western Turkey. Bulletin Society Geological France, 168,1, pp.2-14.
• and , 1999. The structure of the Paleozoic schists in the Southern Menderes Massif, western Turkey: a new approach to the origin of the main Menderes Metamorphism and its relation to the Lycian Nappes. Geodinamica Acta 12, pp.25-42.
• Bozkurt, E. and Satýr, M., 2000. The southern Menderes Massif (western Turkey): geochronology and exhumation history. Geology Journay., 35, pp.285-296.
• ,Winchester, A. J., Mittwede, S. and Ottley, C., 2006. Geochemistry and tectonic implications of leucogranites and tourmalines of the southern Menderes Massif, southwest Turkey. Geodin. Acta, 19/5, pp.363-390.
• Brinkmann, R., 1967. Die Südflanke des MenderesMassivs bei Milas, Bodrum und Ören, Scient. Represantive Faculty Science, Ege University., Izmir, Turkey.
• Candan, O., Dora, O.Ö., Kun, N., Akal, C. and Koralay, E., 1992. Aydýn Daðlarý (Menderes Masifi) güney kesimindeki allokton metamorfik birimler. Türkiye Petrol Jeologlarý Derneði (TPJD) Bülteni, C4/1, pp.93-110.
• , , Dürr, St., and Oberhänsli, R., 1994. Erster Nachweis von Granulit und Eklogit - Relikten im Menderes - Massif / Türkei. Göttingen Abr. Geol. Paläont. Sb.1 5. Symposium TSK, pp.217-220.
• and , 1998. Menderes Masifinin genelleþtirilmiþ jeoloji haritasý. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Jeoloji Mühendisliði Bölümü Bornova-Ýzmir (unpublished).
• Candan, O., Dora, O.Ö., Oberhänsli, R., Çetinkaplan, M., Partzsch, J.H., Warkus, F. and Dürr, S., 2001. Pan-African high-pressure metamorphism in the Precambrian basement of the Menderes Massif, Western Anatolia, Turkey. International Journal of Earth Science (Geologische Rundschau), 89, 4, pp.793-811.
• ,Koralay, E., Dora, O., Chen, F., Oberhänsli, R., Akal, C., Satýr, M. and Kaya, O., 2006. Menderes Masifi'nde Pan-Afrikan Sonrasý Uyumsuzluk: Jeolojik ve Jeokronolojik Bir Yaklaþým. 59. Türkiye Jeoloji Kurultayý Bildiri özleri, Ankara, pp.25-27.
• , , Dora, Ö., Chen, F., Oberhansli, R., Çetinkaplan, M., Akal, C., Satýr, M. and Kaya, O., 2007. Menderes Masifi'nin Pan-Afrikan temelin
• tratigrafisi ve örtü - çekirdek serilerinin ilksel dokanak iliþkisi. Menderes Masifi Kolokyumu, Ýzmir. pp.8-14.
• Dannat, C., 1997. Geochemie,geochronologie und Nd-Sm Isotopie der granitoiden Kerngneiss des Menderes Massivs, SW-Turkey. PhD thesis, Johannes Gutenberf Universitat Mainz, 85p (unpublished).
• and Reischmann, T., 1998. Single zircon ages of migmatites from the Menderes Massif, SW Turkey. Program des Workshops 'Das Menderes Massif (Türkei) und seine nachbargebiete'. Mainz, Germany.
• Dora, O.Ö., 1976. Menderes Masifi'nde alkali feldspatlarýn yapýsal durumlarý ve bunlarýn perojenetik yorumlarda kullanýlmasý. Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni, 24, pp. 91-94.
• ,Kun, N. and Candan, O., 1990. Metamorphic history and geotectonic evolution of the Menderes Massif. Proc. of. International Earth Sciences Congress on Aegean Regions, Izmir/ Turkey, Vol. 2, pp.102-115.
• ,Candan, O, Kun, N. and Akal, C., 1994. Menderes Masifi'nin metamorfik evrimi ve orta kesiminin (Ödemiþ - Kiraz Asmasifi) 1 / 500.000 ölçekli jeoloji haritasýnýn yapýlmasý. TBAG - 937 nolu Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araþ- týrma Kurumu (TÜBÝTAK) projesi, 124p. (unpublished).
• Dora, O.Ö., Candan, O., Dürr, S. and Oberhänsli, R., 1995. New evidence on the geotectonic evolution of the Menderes Massif. International Earth Sciences Colloquium on the Eagean Region, Izmir-Turkey, V.1, pp.53-72.
• , , Kaya, O., Koralay, E. and Dürr, S., 2001. Revision of the so-called "leptite-gneisses" in the Menderes Massif: A supracrustal metasedimentary origin. International Journal Earth Science, (Geologische Rundschau), 89/4, pp. 836-851.
• Dora, O.Ö., Candan, O., Kaya, O., Koralay, E. and Akal, C., 2005. Menderes Masifi Çine Asmasifi' ndeki Koçarlý - Bafa - Yataðan - Karacasu arasýnda uzanan gnays / þist dokanaðýnýn niteliði: Jeolojik, tektonik, petrografik ve jeokronolojik bir yaklaþým. YDABÇAG - 101 Y 132
• nolu Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araþtýrma Kurumu (TÜBÝTAK) projesi, 197p. (unpublished). Dürr, St. 1975. Über Alter und geotektonische Stellung des Menderes Kristallins / SW - Anatolien und seine Äquivalente in der Mittleren Aegean. Habilitation thesis University of Marburg, 107p (unpublished).
• Egeran, N. and Yener, H., 1944. Notes explicatives de la Carte Géologique de la Turquie, Feville Izmir. Maden Tetkik ve Arama Genel Müdürlüðü
• Emre, T. and Sözbilir, H., 1995. Field evidence for metamorphic core complex, detachment faulting and accomodation faults in the Gediz and Büyük Menderes grabens, western Anatolia. International Earth Science Colloquim On the Aegean Region-Izmir, proceedings, pp.73-98.
• Erdoðan, B., 1992. Problem of core - mantle boundary of Menderes Massif. In proceedings of the international Symposium of Eastern Mediterranean Geology., Geosound, pp.314-315.
• Erdoðan, B., and Güngör, T., 1992. Menderes Masifi'nin kuzey kanadýnýn stratigrafisi ve tektonik evrimi. Türkiye Petrol Jeologlarý Derneði (TPJD) Bulletin - C.4/I,S. pp.9-34.
• and Güngör, T., 2004. The problem of the core -cover boundary of the menderes Masif and an emplacement mechanism for regionally extensive gneissic granite, Western Anatolia Turkey. Turkish Journal of Earth Science, 13, pp.15-36.
• Evirgen, M.M., 1979. Menderes Masifi'nin metamorfizmasýna petroloji, petrokimya ve jenez açýsýndan yaklaþýmlar (Ödemiþ - Tire - Bayýndýr - Turgutlu yöresi). Hacettepe Üniversitesi doctorate thesis, Ankara, 185p (unpublished).
• Gessner, K., Ring, U., Lackmann, Passchier, C.W. and Güngör, T., 1998. Structure and crustal thickening of the Menderes Massif, southwest Turkey, and consequences for large-scale correlation between Greece and Turkey. Bull. of the Geological Society. Greece, XXXII, pp.145- 152.
• Gessner, K., Piazolo, S., Güngör, T., Ring, U., Kröner, A. and Passchier, C.W., 2001a. Tectonic significance of deformation in granitoid rocks of the Menderes nappes, Anatolide belt, southwest Turkey. International Journal of Earth Science, 89, pp.766-780.
• ,Ring, U., Johnson, C, Hetzel, R., Passchier, C.W. and Güngör, T., 2001b. An active bivergent rolling-hinge detachment systemral Menderes metamorphic core complex in western Turkey. Geological Society American Bulletin, 29,7, pp.611-614.
• ,Collins A., Ring, U. and Güngör, T., 2004. Structural and thermal history of poly-orogenic basement: U-Pb geochronology of granitoid rocks in the southern Menderes Massif, Western Turkey. Journal Geological Society London, 161, pp.93-101.
• Graciansky, P., 1965. Menderes Masifi'nin güney kýyýsý boyunca (Türkiye'nin GB'sý) görülen metamorfizma hakkýnda açýklamalar. Maden Tetkik ve Arama Genel Müdürlüðü Bülteni, 64, pp.8-22.
• Graciansky, P., 1972. Recherches géologiques dans le Taurus Lycien occidental (Turquie du SW). Thése University Paris-Sud (Orsay), 896p. (unpublished).
• Hamilton. W., 1841. Researches in Asia minor, Pontus and Ermenia, London.
• Hetzel, R. and Reischmann, T., 1996. Intrusion age of Pan-African augen gneisses in the southern Menderes Massif and the age of cooling after Alpine ductile extensional deformation. Geological Magazine, 133(5), pp.565 - 572.
• ,Ring, U., Akal, C. and Troesch, M., 1995 a. Miocene NNE-directed extensional unroofing in the Menderes Massif, southwest Turkey. Journal Geological Society London, 152, pp.639-654.
• ,Passchier, C., Ring, U. and Dora, Ö., 1995 b. Bivergent extension in orogenic belts: The Menderes Massif (southwestern Turkey). Geology, 23, 5, pp.455-458.
• Hetzel, R. Romer, R., Candan, O. and Passchier, C.W., 1998. Geology of the Bozdað area, central Menderes Massif, SW Turkey: Pan - African basement and Alpine deformation. Geologische Rundschau, 87, pp.394-406.
• Iþýk, V. and Tekeli, O., 2001. Late orogenic crustal extention in the northern Menderes Massif (western Turkey):evidence for metamorfik core complex formation. International Journal of Earth Science, 89, pp.757-765.
• ,Seyitoðu, G. and Çemen., Ý., 2003. DuctileBrittle transition along the Alaþehir detachment fault and its structural relationship with the Simav detachment fault, Menderes Massif, western Turkey. Tectonophysics, 374, pp.1-18.
• ,Tekeli, O. and Seyitoðu, G., 2004. The Ar/Ar age of extentional deformation and granite intrusion in the northern Menderes core complex: implications for the initiation of extentional tectonics in western Turkey. Journal Asian Earth Science, 23, pp.555-566.
• Ýzdar, E., 1971. Introduction to geology and metamorphism of the Menderes Massif of western Turkey. Petroleum Exploration Society of Libya, pp.495-500
• Konak, N., 2007. Menderes Masifi'nin Prekambriyen - Paleozoyik istiflerinin tektonik üniteler bazýnda tartýþýlmasý. Menderes Masifi Kolokyumu, Ýzmir, Geniþletilmiþ bildiri özleri kitabý, pp.17-23.
• ,Akdeniz, N. and Öztürk, E.M., 1987. Geology of the south of Menderes Massif, I.G.C.P. project no:5, Correlation of Variscan and pre-Variscan events of the Alpine Mediterranean mountain belt, field meeting, Mineral Research and Exploration Institute Turkey, pp.42-53.
• ,Çakmakoglu, A., Elibol, E., Havzoglu, T., Hepþen, N., Karamanderesi, I.H., Keskin , H., Sarikaya, H., Sav, H. and Yusufoðlu, H., 1994. Development of thrusting in the median part of the Menderes Massif. Abstracts 47th Geology Congress Turkey-Ankara, 34p
• Konak, N. and Çakmakoðlu, A., 2007. Menderes Masifi ve yakýn çevresinin Mesozoyik-Alt Tersiyer istiflerinin tektonik üniteler bazýnda tartýþýlmasý. Menderes Masifi Kolokyumu, Ýzmir, Geniþletilmiþ bildiri özleri kitabý, pp.56-65.
• Koralay, O.E., Satýr, M. and Dora, O.Ö., 2001. Geochemical and geochronological evidence for Early Triassic calc-alkaline magmatism in the Menderes Massif, Western Turkey. International Journal of Earth Science, 89, pp.822-835.
• ,Candan, O.,Dora, O.Ö., Chen, F., Satýr, M. and Kaya, O., 2002. Single zircon Pb-Pb ages for para- and orthogneisses in the Menderes Massif, western Turkey: An approach to the original deposition age of the paragneisses. 1st International Symposium of faculty of mines (Ýstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi) on Earth Sciences and Engineering. Abstracts,105p.
• ,Chen, F., Oberhänsli, R., Wan, Y. and Candan, O., 2006. Age of Granulite Facies Metamorphism in the Menderes Massif, Western Anatolia / Turkey : SHRIMP U-Pb Zircon Dating. 59. Türkiye Jeoloji Kurultayý Bildiri özleri, Ankara, pp.28-29.
• Koralay, E., Candan, O., Dora, Ö., Satýr, M., Oberhansli, R. and Chen, F., 2007. Menderes Masifi'ndeki Pan-Afrikan ve Triyas yaþlý metamagmatik kayaçlarýn jeolojisi ve jeokronolojisi, Batý Anadolu, Türkiye. Menderes Masifi Kolokyumu, Ýzmir, pp.24-31.
• Kun N. and Dora, O., 1984. Menderes Masifi'ndeki metavolkanitler. 38. Türkiye Jeoloji Kurultayý, Bildiri özleri, pp.131-132.
• Lips A., Cassard D., Sözbilir H., Yýlmaz H., and Wijbrans, J., 2001. Multistage exhumition of the Menderes Massif, western Anatolia (Turkey). International Journal of Earth. Science, (Geologische Rundschau), 89, pp.781-792.
• Loos, S. and Reischmann, T., 1999. The evolution of the southern Menderes massif in SW Turkey as revealed by zircon dating. Journal Geological Society London, 156, pp. 1021- 1030.
• Oberhänsli, R., Candan, O., Dora, O.Ö. and Dürr, St., 1997. Eclogites within the Menderes Crystalline Complex / western Turkey / Anatolia. Lithos, 41, pp.135-150.
• ,Warkus, F. and Candan, O., 2002. Dating of eclogite and granulite facies relics in the Menderes Massif. 1st International Symposium of faculty of mines (Ýstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi) on Earth Sciences and Engineering. Abstracts, 104p.
• ,Candan, O. and Wilke, W., 2010. Geochronologic Evidence of Pan-African Eclogites from the Menderes Massif, Turkey. Turkish Journal of Earth Science, (in print).
• Oelsner, F. Candan, O. and Oberhänsli, R., 1997. New evidence for the time of the high-grade metamorphism in the Menderes Massif, SWTurkey. Terra Nostra, 87. Jahrestagung der Geologischen Vereinigung e.v., Fundamental geologic processes, 15p.
• Okay, A., 2001. Stratigraphic and metamorphic inversions in the central Menderes Masif: a new structural modal. International Journal of Earth Science, 89, pp.709-727.
• Önay, T., 1949. Über the smirgelgesteine SWAnatoliens. Schweiz. Mineral. Petrol. Mitt, 29p.
• Özer, S. Sözbilir, H. Özkar, I. Toker, V. and Sarý, B., 2001. Stratigraphy of Upper CretaceousPalaeogene sequences in the southern and eastern Menderes Massif (Western Turkey). International Journal of Earth Science, 89(4), pp.852-866.
• ,Sarý. B, Özkar-Öngen. Ý. and Toker, V., 2007. Menderes Masifi'nin Üst Kretase - Alt Tersiyer rudist, foraminifer ve nannoplankton biyostratigrafisi: metamorfizma yaþý ve kaya birimlerinin iliþkisine bir yaklaþým. Menderes Masifi Kolokyumu, Ýzmir, Geniþletilmiþ bildiri özleri kitabý, pp.44-50.
• Paréjas, E., 1940. La tectonique transversale de la Turquie. Review Faculty Science University Ýstanbul Seri B,5, pp.133-244,
• Partzsch, J. H. Oberhänsli, R. Candan, O. and Warkus, F., 1998. The Menderes Massif, WTurkey: A complex nappe pile recording 1.0 Ga of geological history. Third International Turkish Geology Symposium., Middle East Technichal University (M E T U) - Ankara, 281p.
• Philippson A., 1911-1915. Reisen und Forschungen im westlichen Kleinasien. Patermanns, Mitt. Helf, pp.1-5, Gotha.
• Regnier, J.L., Ring, U.,Paschier C.W., Gessner, K. and Güngör, T., 2003. Contrasting metamorphic evolution of metasedimentary rosks from Çine and Selimiye nappes in the Anatolide belt, western Turkey. Journal Metamorphic Geology, 21, pp.699-721.
• Rimmelé, G., Oberhänsli, R., Goffe, B., Jolivet L., Candan O. and Çetinkaplan, M., 2003. First evidence of high-pressure metamorphism in the "cover series" of the southern Menderes Massif: Tectonic and metamorphic implications for the evolution of SW Turkey. Lithos, 71, pp.19-46.
• Ring, U. Gessner, K. Güngör, T. and Passcchier., C., 1999. The Menderes Massif of western Turkey and the Cycladic Massif in the Aegean-do they really correlate? Journal Geological Society London, 155, pp.3-6.
• ,Johnson C., Hetzel, R., and Gessner, K., 2003.Tectonic denudation of a late CretaceousTertiary collusional belt-regionally symetric cooling Geological Magazine, 140, pp. 421- 441.
• and Collins A.S., 2005. U-Pb SIMS dating of syn-kinematic granites:Timing of core-complex formation in the northern Anatolide belt of western Turkey. Journal Geological Society London, 162, pp.289-298.
• Satýr, M. and Friedrichsen, H., 1986. The origin and evolution of the Menderes Massif, W-Turkey: A rubidium/ strontium and oxygen isotope study. Geologische Rundschau, 75/3, pp.703-714.
• Schuiling, R.D., 1962. On petrology, age and structure of the Menderes migmatite complex (SW - Turkey). Bulletin Mineral Research Exploration Institute Turkey, 58, pp.71-84.
• Seyitoðlu, G. and Scott, B., 1996. The Cause of N-S extensional tectonics in western Turkey: tectonic escape vs back-arc spreading vs orogenic collapse. Journal Geodynamics, 22, 1/2, pp.145-153.
• Seyitoðlu, G. Iþýk, V. and Çemen, Ý., 2004. Complete Tertiary exhumation history of the Menderes massif, western Turkey: an alternative working hypotesis. Geological Magazine, 139/1, pp.15- 26.
• Þengör, A.M.C. Satýr, M. and Akkök, R., 1984. Timing of tectonic events in the Menderes Massif, western Turkey. Implications for tectonic evolution and evidence for Pan-African basement in Turkey. Tectonics 3(7), pp.693-707.
• Tchihatcheff, P.De., 1867. Asie Mineure, Description Physique de cette contree, quatrieme partie, Geologie I, Paris.
• Thomson and Ring, U., 2006. Thermochronologic evaluation of postcollision extension in the Anatolide orogen, western Turkey. Tectonics, 25p.
• Whitney, D.L. and Bozkurt, E., 2002. Metamorphic history of the southern Menderes massif, western Turkey. Geological Society American Bulletin, 114(7), pp.829-838.