Temporal evaluation of tectonic activity with geoinformation methods, a case of Hatay Basin

In this study, the topographic changes caused by the February 6, 2023 earthquakes in the Hatay Basin were comprehensively examined using Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) method. The primary aim of the research is to assess the spatial distribution of tectonic activity across the basin and to validate the obtained results through field observations to ensure their scientific reliability. During the analysis process, 17 different parameters (Hypsometric Integral, LS-Factor, Topographic Wetness Index, Plan Curvature, Profile Curvature, Convergence Index, Closed Depressions, Total Basin Area, Channel Network Distance, Valley Depth, Relative Slope Position, Slope Gradient, Slope Height, Mid-Slope Position, Terrain Ruggedness Index, Terrain Surface Texture, Vector Ruggedness Measure) were used. These parameters were evaluated both individually and through regression models, with spatial variations being examined in detail especially using the GWR method. The results indicate that most active fault lines and earthquake epicenters are located within zones of "moderate" to "high" tectonic activity, suggesting a strong correlation between the model and actual field conditions. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of landslides supports the model's reliability and demonstrates its potential for predicting secondary geological hazards. According to the GWR analysis, approximately 64% of the basin falls within "moderate to high" activity levels, confirming that the region exhibits a highly dynamic tectonic structure.