Significance of doline and uvala distributions in terms of the morphotectonic properties of Geyik Mountain

Doline and uvala (closed karstic depressions) formed as a result of dissolution of the carbonate rocks are dominant landforms on the high karstic plateaus in the Taurus Mountains. Structural factors have great effects on development, geometric shape, density and distribution of these landforms. Especially orientation of tectonic weaknesses such as compression, extension and shearing are determinative on orientation of dolines. In this study, effects of tectonic structures on density, shapes and distribution of depressions on the Mount Geyik are investigated. All karstic depressions in 1/25.000 scaled topographic maps were digitized as polygon in geographic information system (GIS). Then, for each depression, a data set comprising seven different parameters was created. 1x1 km and 2.5x2.5 km grids were used to determine spatial distribution of density and orientations, respectively. As a result of mapping process, 25,599 doline and uvala were detected in 2,108 km2. Maximum density is reaches to 145 depressions/km2. The azimuth of the all depression long axes is NW-SE, which parallel to the general orographic extent and direction of tectonic lines. According to relationship between all morphometric maps and tectonic structures, the fault and joint systems between thrust faults are affected the doline density, while lateral and vertical strike-slip faults are more effective on the geometric shapes of depressions