Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Karstic Landscapes and Landforms in Turkey

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Landscapes and Landforms of Turkey

Part of the book series: World Geomorphological Landscapes ((WGLC))

Abstract

Approximately, 40% of Turkey’s landmass consists of soluble rocks (limestone, dolomite, and gypsum) highly suitable for karstification. While presenting different lithological composition, lithostratigraphic and structural characteristics, these rocks reach in some places up to 4000 m in elevation. Tectonic movements since the middle Miocene have played, together with climate, a major role in the processes of karst development. Several factors intervene in the formation processes and history of the karstic landscapes of Turkey: structural dynamics (mainly extensional tectonics and block faulting) and its spatial distribution, relief rejuvenation responding to the combination of uplift intensity and sea-level changes and the stratigraphic/lithologic context. Resulting from the various combinations possible, there are large-scale differences in the evolution of the karstic landscape within short distances. Consequently, six karstic regions and eleven distinct sub-karstic areas can be identified on the basis of their different morphogenetic and morphometric characteristics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bayarı CS, Pekkan E, Özyurt N (2009) Obruks, as giant collapse dolines caused by hypogenic karstification in central Anatolia, Turkey: analysis of likely formation processes. Hydrogeol J 17(2):327–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bayrakdar C (2012) Akdağ Kütlesi’nde (Batı Toroslar) Karstlaşma-Buzul İlişkisinin Jeomorfolojik Analizi. Ulusal Jeomorfoloji Sempozyumu, Hatay, Türkiye, pp 199–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Bilgin T (1963) Gaziantep batısındaki platoda bazı karstik şekillerin teşekkülü ile vadi yamaçlarının tekamülü arasındaki münasebetler. İst Üniv Coğr Enst Derg 13:164–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Çılgın Z, Bayrakdar C, Oliphant JS (2014) An example of polygenetic geomorphologic development (Karst-Glacial-Tectonics) on Munzur Mountains: Kepir Cave-Elbaba spring karstic system. I J Hum Sci 11(1):89–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Çiner A, Sarıkaya MA (2017) Cosmogenic 36Cl Geochronology of late Quaternary glaciers on the Bolkar Mountains, south central Turkey. In: Hughes P, Woodward J (eds) Quaternary glaciation in the mediterranean mountains, vol 433. Geological Society of London Special Publication, pp 271–287. http://doi.org/10.1144/SP433.3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Çiner A, Doğan U, Yıldırım C, Akçar N, Ivy-Ochs S, Alfimov V, Kubik PW, Schlüchter C (2015a) Quaternary uplift rates of the Central Anatolian Plateau, Turkey: insights from cosmogenic isochron-burial nuclide dating of the Kızılırmak River terraces. Quat Sci Rev 107:81–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2014.10.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Çiner A, Sarıkaya MA, Yıldırım C (2015b) Late Pleistocene piedmont glaciations in the Eastern Mediterranean; insights from cosmogenic 36Cl dating of hummocky moraines in southern Turkey. Quat Sci Rev 116:44–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2015.03.017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Çiner A, Strecker MR, Bertotti G (2013) Late Cenozoic evolution of the Central Anatolia Plateau: preface. Turk J Earth Sci 22:i–ii

    Google Scholar 

  • Deynoux M, Çiner A, Monod O, Karabıyıkoğlu M, Manatschal G, Tuzcu S (2005) Facies architecture and depositional evolution of alluvial fan to fan-delta complexes in the tectonically active Miocene Köprüçay Basin, Isparta Angle, Turkey. Sediment Geol 173(1–4):315–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doğan U (2011) Climate-controlled river terrace formation in the Kızılırmak Valley, Cappadocia section, Turkey: inferred from Ar-Ar dating of Quaternary basalts and terraces stratigraphy. Geomorphology 126:66–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doğan U, Özel S (2005) Gypsum karst and its evolution east of Hafik (Sivas, Turkey). Geomorphology 71:373–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doğan U, Koçyiğit A (2018) Morphotectonic evolution of Maviboğaz canyon and Suğla polje, SW central Anatolia, Turkey. Geomorphology 306:13–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.01.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doğan U, Koçyiğit A, Gökkaya E (2017) Development of the Kembos and Eynif structural poljes: morphotectonic evolution of the Upper Manavgat River basin, central Taurides, Turkey. Geomorphology 278:105–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekmekçi M (2003) Review of Turkish karst with emphasis on tectonic and paleogeographic controls. Acta Carsologica 32(2) (Ljubljana)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekmekçi M (2005) Karst in Turkish Thrace: compatibility between geological history and Karst type. Turk J Earth Sci 14:73–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Erol O (1990) Konya-Karapınar Kuzeybatısındaki Obrukların Jeomorfolojik Gelişimi ile Konya ve Tuz Gölü Pleyistosen Plüviyal Gölleri arasındaki İlişkiler. İ. Ü. Deniz Bilimleri ve Coğrafya Ens. Bülteni. Sayı. 7. İstanbul

    Google Scholar 

  • Eroskay SO, Günay G (1979) Tecto-genetic classification and hydrogeological properties of the karst regions in Turkey. In: Proceedings of international symposium on Karst hydrogeology-Antalya Turkey, pp 1–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez-Blanco D, Bertotti G, Çiner A (2013) Cenozoic tectonics of the Tuz Gölü Basin (Central Anatolia Plateau, Turkey). Turk J Earth Sci 22:715–738

    Google Scholar 

  • Göncüoğlu MC (2011) Kütahya-Bolkardağ Kuşağının Jeolojisi. MTA Dergisi 142:227–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Göncüoğlu MC, Dirik K, Kozlu H (1997) General characteristics of pre-Alpine and Alpine Terranes in Turkey: explanatory notes to the terrane map of Turkey. Annales Géologiques des Pays Hellénique 37:515–536

    Google Scholar 

  • Günay G, Güner N, Törk K (2015) Turkish karst aquifers. Environ Earth Sci 74:217–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herak M (1977) Tecto-genetic approach to the classification of karst terrains. KRS Jugoslavie 9/3

    Google Scholar 

  • Karabıyıkoğlu M (2003) Konya Havzası’nın Geç Kuvaterner Evrimi. İst. Üniv. Sosyal Bilimler Enst., Coğrafya Anabilim Dalı, PhD thesis (unpublished)

    Google Scholar 

  • Klimchouk A, Bayarı CS, Nazik L, Tork K (2006) Glacial destruction of cave systems in high mountains, with special reference to the Aladaglar massif, Central Taurids, Turkey. Acta Carsol 35(2):111–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Koşun E (2012) Facies characteristics and depositional environments of Quaternary tufa deposits, Antalya, SW Turkey. Carbonates Evaporites 27:269–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuzucuoğlu C, Parish R, Karabıyıkoğlu M (1998) The dune systems of the Konya Plain (Turkey). Their relation to the environmental changes in Central Anatolia during Late Pleistocene and Holocene. Geomorphology 23:257–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monod O (1977) Recherches Geologiques Mineralogique dans le Taurus Occidental au Sud de Beyşehir (Turquie): These d’état, l’Univ. de Paris Sud, Centré d’Orsay, A-896, 571 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Monod O, Kuzucuoglu K, Okay A (2006) A Miocene palaeovalley network in the Western Taurus (Turkey). Turk J Earth Sci 15:1–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazik L (2004) The karst regions of Turkey (according to the morphogenesis and morphometric properties). In: Proceeding of international symposium on earth system sciences, Istanbul-Turkey, pp 77–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazik L (2005) The caves of Konya (General) and the Beyşehir and the Derbucak Countries. In: Proceedings of the national cave days symposium, Beyşehir-Konya, pp 47–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazik, L (2010) Türkiye Morfolojisinde Kanyonlara Yeni Bir Yaklaşım: Mağara Kanyonlar. Ulusal Jeomorfoloji Sempozyumu, 11–13 Ekim, Afyonkarahisar, 42–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazik L, Tuncer K (2010) Regional features of Turkey karst morphology. Turk J Speleol Karst Cave Sci 1:7–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazik L, Poyraz M (2015). Role of Neotectonics in Karst Morphology of Turkey IV. Ulusal Jeomorfoloji Sempozyumu Bildiriler Kitabı, 203–213, Samsun

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazik L, Poyraz M (2016) A characteristic zone representing Quaternary development of karstic morphology in Turkey: Central Taurides-Central Anatolia- Central Pontides Karstic Zone. In: Proceedings of the Quaternary symposium of Turkey, TURQUA, İTÜ, İstanbul

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazik L, Mengi H, Özel E, Bircan A, Beydeş S (1995) Zonguldak yakın çevresinin doğal mağaraları. MTA Raporu, Derleme No: 9764, Ankara

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazik L, Törk K, Özel E, Aksoy B, Acar C (1998) Kuzey ve kuzeydoğu Trakya’nın doğal mağaraları. MTA Raporu, Derleme No: 10088, Ankara

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazik L, Törk K, Özel E, Tuncer K (2004) Konya Ovasının Hidrolojik-Hidrojeolojik Gelişiminde Karstlaşmanın Etkisi. I. Yeraltı Suları Ulusal Sempozyumu, Bildiriler Kitabı, 23–24 Aralık 2004, Konya, 95–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazik L, Törk K, Tuncer K, Özel E, İnan H, Savaş F (2005) The caves of Turkey. In: Proceedings of the national cave days symposium, Beyşehir, pp 31–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazik L, Tuncer K, Poyraz M, Feridun D (2012) The developmental periods of karst morphology in Turkey. III. Ulusal Jeomorfoloji Sempozyumu, Bildiriler Kitabı, Hatay, 17

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliva M, Žebre M, Guglielmin MM, Hughes P, Çiner A, Vieria G, Bodin X, Andrés N, Colucci RR, García-Hernández C, Mora C, Nofre J, Palacios D, Pérez-Alberti A, Ribolini A, Ruiz-Fernández J, Sarıkaya MA, Serrano E, Urdea P, Valcárcel M, Woodward J, Yıldırım C (2018) The existence of permafrost conditions in the Mediterranean basin since the Last Glaciation. Earth Sci Rev 185:397–436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.06.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Özsayın E, Çiner A, Dirik K, Rojay B, Fernandez-Blanco D, Melnick D, Garcin Y, Bertotti G, Strecker M, Schildgen T, Sudo M (2013) Plio-Quaternary extensional tectonics of the Central Anatolian Plateau: a case study from the Tuz Gölü Basin, Turkey. Turk J Earth Sci 22:691–714

    Google Scholar 

  • Öztürk M (2018) Morphometric analyses of Karstic depressions (Dolines). J Geogr 1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Öztürk M, Şimşek M, Utlu M (2015) Tahtalı Dağları (Orta Toroslar) karst platosu üzerinde dolin ve uvala gelişiminin CBS tabanlı analizi. Türk Coğrafya Dergisi 65:59–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Öztürk MZ, Şimşek M, Utlu M, Şener MF (2017) Karstic depressions on Bolkar Mountain plateau, Central Taurus (Turkey): distribution characteristics and tectonic effect on orientation. Turk J Earth Sci 26:302–313. https://doi.org/10.3906/yer-1702-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Öztürk MZ, Şimşek M, Şener MF, Utlu M (2018a) GIS based analysis of doline density on Taurus Mountains, Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 77:536. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7717-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Öztürk MZ, Şener MF, Şener M, Şimşek M (2018b) Structural controls on distribution of dolines on Mount Anamas (Taurus Mountains, Turkey). Geomorphology 317:107–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson A, Dixon JED (1984) Introduction: aspects of the geological evolution of the Eastern Mediterranean. In: Dixon, Robertson (eds) The geological evolution of the Eastern Mediterranean, vol 17. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, pp 1–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rojay B, Özsayın E, Çiner A (2012) Post-Miocene tectonics from Black Sea to Mediterranean Sea along Central Anatolian Plateau. In: Geophysical research abstracts, vol 14, EGU 2012-8818-1

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarıkaya MA, Çiner A (2017) The late Quaternary glaciation in the Eastern Mediterranean. In: Hughes P, Woodward J (eds) Quaternary glaciation in the Mediterranean mountains, vol 433. Geological Society of London Special Publication, pp 289–305. http://doi.org/10.1144/SP433.4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarıkaya MA, Çiner A, Haybat H, Zreda M (2014) An early advance of glaciers on Mount Akdağ, SW Turkey, before the global Last Glacial Maximum; insights from cosmogenic nuclides and glacier modeling. Quat Sci Rev 88:96–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarıkaya MA, Yıldırım C, Çiner A (2015a) Late Quaternary alluvial fans of Emli Valley in the Ecemiş Fault Zone, south central Turkey: insights from cosmogenic nuclides. Geomorphology 228:512–525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.10.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarıkaya MA, Yıldırım C, Çiner A (2015b) No surface breaking on Ecemiş Fault, central Turkey, since Late Pleistocene (64.5 ka); new geomorphic and geochronologic data from cosmogenic dating of offset alluvial fans. Tectonophysics 649:33–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2015.02.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarıkaya MA, Çiner A, Yıldırım C (2017) Cosmogenic 36Cl glacial chronologies of the Late Quaternary glaciers on Mount Geyikdağ in the Eastern Mediterranean. Quaternary Geochoronol (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Şaroğlu F, Güner Y (1981) Doğu Anadolu’nun jeomorfolojik gelişiminde etki eden öğeler, Jeomorfoloji, tektonik, volkanizma ilişkileri. TJK Bülteni C. 24, 39–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Schildgen TF, Cosentino D, Bookhagen B, Niedermann S, Yıldırım C, Echtler HP, Wittmann H, Strecker MR (2012) Multi-phase uplift of the southern margin of the Central Anatolian plateau: a record of tectonic and upper mantle processes. Earth Planet Sci Lett 317–318:85–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schildgen TF, Yıldırım C, Cosentino D, Strecker MR (2014) Linking slab break-off, Hellenic trench retreat, and uplift of the Central and Eastern Anatolian plateaus. Earth Sci Rev 128:147–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Şenel M, Selçuk H, Durukan E, Arbas AH, Örçen S, Bilgin C (1989) Çameli (Denizli)-Yeşilova (Burdur)-Elmalı (Antalya) ve Dolayının Jeolojisi. MTA Raporu, Derleme No. 9429

    Google Scholar 

  • Şener MF, Öztürk MZ (2019) Relict drainage effects on distribution and morphometry of karst depressions: a case study from Central Taurus (Turkey). J Cave and Karst Stud (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Şengör AMC, Yılmaz Y (1981) Tethyan evolution of Turkey: a plate tectonic approach. Tectonophysics 75:181–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Şengör AMC, Görür N, Şaroğlu F (1985) Strike-slip faulting and related basin formation in zones of tectonic escape: Turkey as a case study. In: Biddle KT, Christie-Blick (eds) Strike-slip deformation, basin formation and sedimentation, vol 37. Special Publication—Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, pp 227–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Şimşek M (2018) Geyik Dağı Kütlesi’nde (Orta Toroslar) Karstik Depresyonların Dağılışı ve Bu Dağılışa Etki Eden Faktörler. İstanbul Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Coğrafya Anabilim Dalı, Yayınlanmamış Doktora Tezi (PhD thesis)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuncer K (2015) Asılı kalmış karst alanına en güzel örneklerden biri: Sarıcakaya-Beyyayla Karst Platosu, Bilecik-Eskişehir. IV. Ulusal Jeomorfoloji Sempozyumu Bildirileri Kitabı, Samsun, 176–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Yıldırım C, Schildgen T, Echtler H, Melnick D, Strecker M, Bookhagen B, Çiner A, Niederman S, Merchel S, Martschini M, Steier P, Strecker MR (2013) Tectonic implications of fluvial incision and pediment deformation at the northern margin of the Central Anatolian Plateau based on multiple cosmogenic nuclides. Tectonics 32:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1002/tect.20066

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yıldırım C, Sarıkaya MA, Çiner A (2016) Late Pleistocene intraplate extension of the Central Anatolian Plateau, Turkey: inferences from cosmogenic exposure dating of alluvial fan, landslide and moraine surfaces along the Ecemiş Fault Zone. Tectonics 35. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015tc004038

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to extend our thanks to an anonymous reviewer and editor for making valuable efforts and immense editorial work for the improvement of the text.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Geography, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Turkey

    Lütfi Nazik & Murat Poyraz

  2. Faculty of Humanities and Literature, Department of Geography, Ardahan University, Ardahan, Turkey

    Mustafa Karabıyıkoğlu

Authors
  1. Lütfi Nazik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Murat Poyraz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mustafa Karabıyıkoğlu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lütfi Nazik .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Physical Geography (LGP, UMR 8591), CNRS, Universities of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Paris 12 U-Pec, Meudon, France

    Catherine Kuzucuoğlu

  2. Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Attila Çiner

  3. Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

    Nizamettin Kazancı

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Nazik, L., Poyraz, M., Karabıyıkoğlu, M. (2019). Karstic Landscapes and Landforms in 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_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation