Investigation of the structural characteristics of Yukaridikme basin (Caldiran-Van)

Yukarıdikme Basin, located on the north of the contraction zone between the Arabian and Eurasian plates, is formed by N-S compression regime in Quaternary. The basin was formed between the stepping zone of the Temrenli and Aşağıdikme segments of İsmailbaba Fault Zone and shows pull-apart basin characteristics. Geological evolution of the basin is controlled by İsmailbaba Fault Zone. Sedimentary infill of the Yukarıdikme Basin which located in metamorphic, ophiolithic, and volcanic basement rocks is occurred from alluvial fan and fluvial deposits. In this study, the depositional area, determined in south eastern part of Çaldıran town (Van city), is named as Yukarıdikme Basin. The İsmailbaba Fault Zone and its segments (Temrenli and Aşağıdikme) which constitute the basin, were first identified by this study. The formation and geological evolution of the Yukarıdikme Basin is introduced by the structural properties and seismicity of these sinistral strike-slip fault zone and geomorphological elements determined in the basin.