Abstract
Neotectonic processes affect human habitation by controlling landform and landscape, natural resources and natural disasters. The Alaşehir Graben of western Turkey, including the ancient city of Sardis, is one of the best areas to observe this interaction between nature and human life. The Alaşehir Graben is a result of the extensional tectonics in the Aegean region. Its southern margin has prominent topography that indicates the major graben-bounding fault system which is located on this side. The northward younging normal fault system and the rotation of previous faults (Alaşehir-type rolling hinge mechanism) have controlled the morphological development of the graben since Miocene times. These geological processes have not only created fertile plains, hot springs and placer gold deposits that attracted human settlements, but also cause natural disasters such as major earthquakes. All these geological issues can be followed in the history of the ancient city of Sardis and also continue today.
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Seyitoğlu, G., Cahill, N.D., Işık, V., Esat, K. (2019). Morphotectonics of the Alaşehir Graben with a Special Emphasis on the Landscape of the Ancient City of Sardis, Western Turkey. In: Kuzucuoğlu, C., Çiner, A., Kazancı, N. (eds) Landscapes and Landforms of Turkey. World Geomorphological Landscapes. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03515-0_28
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