Paleoseismological investigation of quaternary activity of the Yumurtalik fault

Yumurtalık Fault, which is a part of the southwestern extension of the East Anatolian Fault (EAF), passes through the north of the Gulf of İskenderun. In this study, prehistoric, historical and instrumental seismic activity of the region has been investigated in order to determine the earthquake potential of the Yumurtalık Fault. The region in the zone where the Yumurtalık Fault crosses is one of the areas with 1st degree earthquake potential. The determination of the potential of the earthquakes of the Yumurtalık Fault is important because the region is very important in terms of industry, agriculture and settlement. In addition, it has made significant contributions to the determination of the seismicity of the Eastern Anatolian Fault since it forms the southwestern part of the Mediterranean. A total of two paleoseismic trenches were excavated on the eastern and western part of the Yumurtalık Fault. The data obtained from these trenches revealed at least three earthquakes resulting in surface rupture of the fault. The last one of these earthquakes has occurred in the close vicinity of the Yumurtalık Fault; A.C. 290, A.C. 517 and A.C. 524 earthquakes. When the seismic records of the earthquake are examined, several earthquakes of M = 4 and above are reported. Using the fault parameters such as the length and character of the fault, it is expected that the greatest earthquake that can occur on the Yumurtalık Fault is 6,9. The Holocene activity of the Yumurtalık fault is clearly defined and it has been observed that it works in a mechanism meeting the neotectonic processes of the region. This study will contribute to the evaluation of the earthquake hazard in the areas where the Yumurtalık Fault crosses.