Pleistocene glaciations in the Karasakal Mountains: 3D glacier modeling, cirque morphometry, and palaeoclimatic implications

Year 2025, Issue: 88, 121 - 136, 29.12.2025

Zeynel Çılğın

https://doi.org/10.17211/tcd.1800844

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the geomorphological evidence of Pleistocene glaciations, perform a three-dimensional (3D) palaeoglacier reconstruction based on glacial landform evidence, and derive Palaeoclimatic inferences in the Karasakal Mountains (Tunceli, Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye), whose highest peak reaches 3123 m and which have been scarcely documented in the literature. In the Karasakal Mountains, mountain glaciations constrained by topography developed mainly within cirques. Based on morphological evidence, the 3D glacier reconstruction revealed that the former glaciers covered a total area of 31,09 km² and contained an estimated total ice volume of 3,03 km³. The glacier bodies originated at elevations of 3058 m and terminated at 1932 m, with an average ice thickness of 94 m and a maximum thickness of 308 m. Geomorphological analyses identified 43 cirques developed under the control of topographic conditions. The cirques have a mean length of 962 m, a mean width of 624 m, and an average length/width ratio of 1,58. Their concentration on north-facing slopes indicates the influence of orographic and climatic factors. The paleo–equilibrium line altitude (pELA), calculated using the Area–Altitude Balance Ratio (AABR = 1.56) method, was determined to be 2707 m. Precipitation reconstructions indicate a wetter and colder climate compared to present conditions. The Karasakal Mountains have been identified as an independent glaciation area, distinct from the Munzur Mountains. This study provides new insights into the Quaternary geomorphological evolution and palaeoclimate of the region and contributes to the advancement of GIS-based palaeoglacier reconstructions in Türkiye.

Keywords

Karasakal Mountains , Glacial geomorphology , Palaeoglacier reconstruction , cirque morphometry

Project Number

122Y360

Karasakal Dağları’nda Pleyistosen buzullaşmaları: 3B buzul modellemesi, sirk morfometrisi ve paleo-iklimsel çıkarımlar

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi'nde, hakkında sınırlı çalışma bulunan en yüksek noktası 3123 m olan Karasakal Dağları'nda (Tunceli) Pleyistosen dönemine ait buzullaşma izlerini incelemeyi ve buzul kanıtlarına dayalı 3 boyutlu (3B) paleo-buzul modellemesi gerçekleştirmeyi ve paleo-iklimsel çıkarımlar yapmayı amaçlamaktadır. Karasakal Dağları’nda topografyanın sınırladığı dağ buzullaşmaları meydana gelmiş olup, oluşan buzullar daha çok sirkler içerisinde yer almıştır. Morfolojik delillere dayalı 3B buzul rekonstrüksiyonu ile buzulların yayılış alanları tespit edilmiştir. Buna göre, buzul alanlarının toplam 31,09 km², toplam buz hacminin ise 3,03 km³ olduğu ortaya konulmuştur. Buzul kütleleri 3058 m yükseklikten başlayıp 1932 m seviyesinde sonlanmış; ortalama kalınlık 94 m, maksimum kalınlık ise 308 m olarak belirlenmiştir. Jeomorfolojik incelemeler, bölgede topografik koşulların kontrolünde gelişmiş 43 sirk çanağı bulunduğunu göstermiştir. Sirklerin ortalama uzunluğu 962 m, genişliği 624 m, uzunluk/genişlik oranı 1,58 olup, kuzey yönelimli yoğunlaşmaları orografik ve klimatik etkilerin belirleyici rol oynadığını göstermektedir. Paleo-denge hattı yüksekliği (pELA) 2707 m olarak bulunmuştur. Yağış rekonstrüksiyonları, güncelden daha nemli ve serin iklim koşullarını ortaya koymuştur. Çalışma ile Karasakal Dağlarının, Munzur Dağları’ndan bağımsız bir buzullaşma alanı olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bu çalışma, bölgenin Kuvaterner jeomorfolojik evrimi ve paleo-iklim özelliklerine ışık tutmakta ve Türkiye’de CBS tabanlı paleo-buzul rekonstrüksiyonlarının gelişimine katkı sağlamaktadır.

Keywords

Karasakal Dağları , Buzul jeomorfolojisi , Paleobuzul rekonstrüksiyonu , Sirk morfometrisi

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Project Number

122Y360

Thanks

Bu çalışmayı, 122Y360 nolu proje ile destekleyen Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu (TÜBİTAK)’na teşekkür ederim.

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