Investigating fracture-crack systems with geophysical methods in Bayburt Kiratli travertine

In this study, the ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electric resistivity methods have been applied on Bayburt Kıratlı travertine fields in order to obtain massive and unaltered blocks in a short time and at low cost. It was penetrated nearly to 10-25 m on 54 GPR profiles that were acquired on 4 different areas by a 100 MHz unshielded antenna. A 250 MHz shielded antenna was used on ten of the GPR profiles and the subsurface was imaged nearly up to 5-6 m. In addition, in one of the investigation areas, two dimension electrical imaging was performed until 20-25 m with the vertical electric sounding (VES) method on 4 profiles and 32 stations. 2 and 3 dimension sections have been generated by interpretation of data. From these sections, the situation of vertical and horizontal structures was determined in the study area. Consequently, the quarry was stopped in the first investigation area, Ocaküstü, due to the generally fractured-cracked and weathered structure of the travertine. From VES level maps, massive blocks with high resistivity that covered a large area could be seen at a depth of 12 m from the surface and it was suggested that the quarry should be extended vertically. According to the GPR data from Alarduç (Alarduç1 and 2), where a new quarry is planned to be exploited, it was concluded that a reflection boundary with high amplitude present between 2 m and 6 m in depth on Alarduç 1 might indicate a major fracture. It was notified to the quarry manager that they would find fractured blocks when quarrying that area. In addition, structures which are getting more compact with depth are shown below distances from 0 to10 m on the profiles. After these distances, massive blocks which are high quality raw materials have been seen under 6 m in depth. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the operation of travertine quarry on Alarduc 2 is not suitable due to the presence of fractured structure.