Effects of physical geography of Samsun mountain on its slope and alluvial geomorphological development

This study entitled "Effects of Physical Geography of Samsun Mountain on Its Slope and Alluvial Geomorphological Development" consists of two main parts. In the first section, the physical geography features of Samsun Mountain are examined. In the second section, Samsun Mountain's impact on slope alluvial geomorphological effect has been analyzed by the help of sedimentologic, stratigraphic and paleontological data obtained from drilling through alluvial fans and plane bases. Samsun Mountain is a rock mass which forms a huge cove through Aegean Sea between Kusadası Bay and Büyük Menderes Delta. A great part of this mass is covered by Paleozoic aged schist - marble and Mesozoic aged marble which are called as the land cover unit of Menderes Massif. The threshold, made up of different formations of Neogene period borders the mountain from the east. Samsun Mountain's basic morphological units have been formed as a result of having geological and geomorphological evolution of the area from the beginning of Miocene until today. Being one of these morphological units, alluvial fans' development is associated with the alluvium carried by Büyük Menderes River, colluvial materials which come from Samsun Mountain, changes in the sea level occurring in Holocene coastline changes, and tectonic movements that have an impact on the area. The grain size of 852 samples, taken from drilling, is identified by hydrometer and sieve analyses. The grain size characteristics of the sediments set out variable hydrodynamical conditions. In addition, macro and micro fossils have been researched through paleontological analysis. Macro and micro fossils have been identified, which stand for marine, lagoon, brackish water, fresh water and terrestrious (gastropod) environment. Different species have been found which stand for different environments regarding ostracod, foraminifer, mollusks (gastropod and bivalvia). Concerning the identified number of species, their presence or absence, and their relation with the species they are together with, this data has been used as the indicators to spot the environment.