Research Article

Accuracy of 3D geodetic model for trench-based paleoseismology: A case study from the Gelenbe fault zone

Volume: 8 July 3, 2026

Accuracy of 3D geodetic model for trench-based paleoseismology: A case study from the Gelenbe fault zone

Abstract

In recent years, the rapidly advancing Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology has become an important tool in geosciences, particularly in paleoseismology, due to its ability to provide highly accurate topographic data. In this study, trench-based paleoseismological investigations were conducted at two different locations along the Gelenbe Fault Zone within the İzmir–Balıkesir Transfer Zone (İBTZ), as part of the project titled “Determination of the Paleoseismological Characteristics of Active Faults in Turkey” (Project No: 123G020). Gelenbe Fault Zone is a right-lateral strike-slip fault extending approximately in a NNE–SSW direction between Bigadiç (Balıkesir) and Akhisar (Manisa). Within the zone, the East and West Segments, measuring 35 km and 36 km in length respectively, are approximately parallel to each other. Within the scope of the study, the trench walls excavated across the fault were cleaned, gridded at one-meter intervals, and subsequently scanned using LiDAR technology to obtain high-resolution data. The acquired point clouds were integrated with photogrammetric data and modeled in three dimensions using Agisoft Metashape Professional and CloudCompare software. To evaluate the geometric accuracy of the model, the one-meter grids marked on the trench walls were used as reference points, and the root mean square error was calculated. The analyses revealed that the model’s accuracy value was ±17 mm, consistent with results obtained by similar methods in the literature. To determine the impact of this spatial error on seismotectonic interpretations, different displacement scenarios were tested, and the results demonstrated that the ±17 mm model error caused a negligible deviation of only ±0.02 magnitude in the calculated moment magnitudes. These findings demonstrate the applicability of LiDAR technology for producing high-accuracy Three-Dimensional models in paleoseismological studies and provide a valuable example for preserving refilled trenches as permanent digital archives

Keywords

Supporting Institution

TÜBITAK

Project Number

123G020

Ethical Statement

We declare that the manuscript for which we are the authors does not require ethical committee approval

Thanks

We would like to thank TÜBİTAK for funding this article within the scope of project number 123G020

References

  1. Abellán, A., Oppikofer, T., Jaboyedoff, M., Rosser, N. J., Lim, M., & Lato, M. J. (2014). Terrestrial laser scanning of rock slope instabilities. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 39(1), 80–97. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3493
  2. Agisoft. (2026). Retrieved January 10, 2026, from www.agisoftmetashape.com
  3. Aktuğ, B. (2017). Jeodezik deprem tehlike haritası. TMMOB Harita ve Kadastro Mühendisleri Odası Türkiye Harita Bilimsel ve Teknik Kurultayı, Ankara, Türkiye.
  4. Altınok, S., Karabacak, V., Yalçıner, C. Ç., Bilgen, A. N., Altunel, E., & Kıyak, N. G. (2012). Holocene activity of Kütahya fault zone. Geological Bulletin of Turkey, 55(1), 1-18.
  5. Altun, F. (2018). Economic and Social Impacts of Disasters: An Assessment of the example of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Social Work, 2(1), 1-15.
  6. Baltsavias, E. P. (1999). Airborne laser scanning: basic relations ve formulas. ISPRS Journal of photogrammetry ve remote sensing, 54(2-3), 199-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-2716(99)00015-5
  7. Bistacchi, A., Griffith, W. A., Smith, S. A., Di Toro, G., Jones, R., & Nielsen, S. (2011). Fault roughness at seismogenic depths from LIDAR and photogrammetric analysis. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 168, 2345-2363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-011-0301-7
  8. Burrato, P., Poli, M. E., Vannoli, P., Zanferrari, A., Basili, R., & Galadini, F. (2008). Sources of Mw 5+ earthquakes in northeastern Italy ve western Slovenia: an updated view based on geological ve seismological evidence. Tectonophysics, 453(1-4), 157-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2007.07.009

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 3, 2026

Submission Date

December 4, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8

APA
Şahiner, F., Tiryakioğlu, İ., Solak, H. İ., Özkaymak, Ç., Özcan, D. M., Karabacak, V., & Sümer, Ö. (2026). Accuracy of 3D geodetic model for trench-based paleoseismology: A case study from the Gelenbe fault zone. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing, 8. https://doi.org/10.51489/tuzal.1835652
AMA
1.Şahiner F, Tiryakioğlu İ, Solak Hİ, et al. Accuracy of 3D geodetic model for trench-based paleoseismology: A case study from the Gelenbe fault zone. TJRS. 2026;8. doi:10.51489/tuzal.1835652
Chicago
Şahiner, Furkan, İbrahim Tiryakioğlu, Halil İbrahim Solak, et al. 2026. “Accuracy of 3D Geodetic Model for Trench-Based Paleoseismology: A Case Study from the Gelenbe Fault Zone”. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing 8 (July). https://doi.org/10.51489/tuzal.1835652.
EndNote
Şahiner F, Tiryakioğlu İ, Solak Hİ, Özkaymak Ç, Özcan DM, Karabacak V, Sümer Ö (July 1, 2026) Accuracy of 3D geodetic model for trench-based paleoseismology: A case study from the Gelenbe fault zone. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing 8
IEEE
[1]F. Şahiner et al., “Accuracy of 3D geodetic model for trench-based paleoseismology: A case study from the Gelenbe fault zone”, TJRS, vol. 8, July 2026, doi: 10.51489/tuzal.1835652.
ISNAD
Şahiner, Furkan - Tiryakioğlu, İbrahim - Solak, Halil İbrahim - Özkaymak, Çağlar - Özcan, Doğukan Mert - Karabacak, Volkan - Sümer, Ökmen. “Accuracy of 3D Geodetic Model for Trench-Based Paleoseismology: A Case Study from the Gelenbe Fault Zone”. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing 8 (July 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.51489/tuzal.1835652.
JAMA
1.Şahiner F, Tiryakioğlu İ, Solak Hİ, Özkaymak Ç, Özcan DM, Karabacak V, Sümer Ö. Accuracy of 3D geodetic model for trench-based paleoseismology: A case study from the Gelenbe fault zone. TJRS. 2026;8. doi:10.51489/tuzal.1835652.
MLA
Şahiner, Furkan, et al. “Accuracy of 3D Geodetic Model for Trench-Based Paleoseismology: A Case Study from the Gelenbe Fault Zone”. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing, vol. 8, July 2026, doi:10.51489/tuzal.1835652.
Vancouver
1.Furkan Şahiner, İbrahim Tiryakioğlu, Halil İbrahim Solak, Çağlar Özkaymak, Doğukan Mert Özcan, Volkan Karabacak, Ökmen Sümer. Accuracy of 3D geodetic model for trench-based paleoseismology: A case study from the Gelenbe fault zone. TJRS. 2026 Jul. 1;8. doi:10.51489/tuzal.1835652

 SCImago Journal & Country Rank             Flag Counter