Investigation of the relationship between soil gas radon anomalies and earth movements in the Eestern Marmara region

In thesis study , it has been investigated relationships between radon concentrations and earth movements in the Western Marmara Region of North Anatolian fault line. Initially, it was examined the geological structure of the study area and selected 21 different sampling stations. Radon measurements in these stations were obtained by using solid state nuclear track detectors (LR-115type-2). Besides, it has been measured natural radiactivity, physical and chemical properties of the soils in the region. As a results, it was observed that radon concentrations in the soils were changed between 0,10 kBqm-3 to 19,46 kBqm-3 . The average radon vaule was calculated to be 4,35±0,47 kBqm-3. When data were statistically analysized, stations which has been observed the changes of radon concentration, were assigned while earth crust movement are occured. In February 2015, changes of radon concentration were observed for 2. and 8. stations whenever earth crust movements occured in the study region. The radon data in these stations were found to be agree with seismic activity. Therefore, it has been has concluded that the continuous radon measurement systems will be established to the stations (2 and 8) in the future. In this study were also investigated the relationships between radon levels and soil properties. Concentrations of radium in the soils were found to be similar to the world average value. According to the data of radium, it has been found result that anomalies in radon concentration can be concluded due to seismic activity. Keywords: Radon, North Anatolian Fault, Earthquakes