Basin based evaluation of the factors controlling long-term erosion in the Samanlı Mountains Mass

Erosion is a process that takes place under the control of various factors, plays a big role in geomorphological development and also affects human life. This study was created to estimate the basin-based erosion rates in the Samanlı Mountains, which form the western part of the North Anatolian Mountains. In addition, it was aimed to introduce the necessity of geomorphology in erosion studies, the importance of quantitative methods in erosion studies and new methods in estimating erosion rates. For these purposes, firstly, long-term minimum material losses of 4 river basins on the mass were examined and indices addressing the geomorphometry tectonic relationship were applied to these basins. In addition, in order to reveal the distribution of erosion rates regionally and to determine the effectiveness of the factors driving material losses, analyzes covering the entire mass were applied. In the Samanlı Mountains Mass, it has the highest erosion rate with 7.83 km³ in the Karpuzdere basin located on the western part of the mass and on the north side, in the erosion rates of 4 basins. Büyükkumla basin located on the western and southern fronts of the mass follows it with 3.83 km³. Afterwards it has been determined that the Istanbuldere basin, located on the eastern and Northern Front, has erosion rates of 3.33 km3 and finally the Cevizlikdere basin of the central and Southern Front, has erosion rates of 2.82 km³. In addition, according to the minimum erosion rates applied on the 33 selected basins, it has been determined that the erosion rates on the northern faces of Samanlı Mountains are higher than the southern faces.