Geometry, kinematic analysis and active tectonics of Çukurören and Aslıhanlar faults

In this study, the geometry, kinematic analays and active tectonic features of the Çukurören Fault and Aslıhanlar Fault, which are evaluated within the Akşehir-Simav Fault System, are investigated. For this purpose, kinematic data were collected at certain locations along the faults mapped as a continuation of each other and the Angelier paleostress software of these data was evaluated. Our findings show that the Çukurören Fault is made up of two fault segments with a NW-SE strike and right lateral strike slip character, and that these segments are connected to each by a compressive bend. Colluvial and alluvial fan deposits developed in the western and eastern segments of the Çukurören Fault and in front of the Aslıhanlar Fault are evident. Tectonic geomorphology studies conducted along the fault line show that the fault segments are linear and active. The Aslıhanlar Fault, which is the continuation of the Çukurören Fault towards the east, as a right-lateral strike-slip fault with an extensional bend. According to the regions between the length of the mapped fault segments and the maximum earthquake magnitude that the segments can create, the western segment of the Çukurören Fault is 6.5; the eastern segment has the potential to produce an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 and the Aslıhanlar Fault has the potential to produce earthquakes of magnitude 6.5. If these two faults with similar kinematic features ruptured together, the maximum earthquake magnitude that can occur is calculated as 7.2. The findings indicate that the Çukurören Fault and Aslıhanlar Fault, located between Simav, Kütahya, Uşak and Afyonkarahisar, are important seismic sources for the region.