Abstract
The Strait of Istanbul (Bosphorus) is a narrow valley which has evolved tectonically from a stream, in which thick sediment deposits have accumulated in the course of its evolution. Detailed seismic and multi-beam bathymetric data indicate that three important factors affect the present shape of the strait floor. These factors are observed as broad erosion along the strait floor, deposition, which is mainly observed by the sediment drifting and mass movements, and fault activity. Erosion, which is the dominant factor controlling the sea floor morphology, is implied by a widespread truncation on the upper parts of the channel deposits consisting of parallel strata. The resulting erosion surface is represented mostly by the present channel floor in the strait. The estimated volume of the eroded material was calculated as approximately 2×108 m3. The erosion rate on the seismic data and sea floor morphology indicate that the flow direction was from the south to the north. Evidences indicate that this inner channel may have been formed during the latest flooding of the Black Sea by raised Mediterranean waters passing through the strait channel after the last glacial maximum.
Translated title of the contribution | Factors controlling the sea floor morphology of the Strait of Istanbul: Evidences of an erosional event after last glacial maximum |
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Original language | Turkish |
Pages (from-to) | 143-161 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Yerbilimleri/ Earth Sciences |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |