Analysis of an Active Fault Geometry Using Satellite Sensor and DEM Data: Gaziköy-Saros Segment (NAFZ), Turkey

In this study, Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and SPOT HRV Panchromatic data were analysed to determine the geometry of an active fault segment (the Ganos segment) in Gaziköy-Saros region, west of Marmara Sea, Turkey. Gaziköy-Saros/Ganos segment is a part of North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ). North-Anatolian fault is considered to be one of the most important active strike-slip faults in the world. Thus far in relevant researches based on Gaziköy-Saros segment a single straight fault line representation is used on the fault descriptive geological maps. This study, with the aid of enhanced remotely sensed data aims to reveal the linear details of the NAFZ fault segment, which subsequently were superposed with a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data. Respectively, using these data the surface geometry expression of Gazikoy-Saros fault segment was detailed and remapped. According to the results of the analysis two small releasing steps were identified on this segment. The first one is situated between Mürseli and Güzelkoy villages, and the second one is between Mürseli and Yorguc villages. In addition to this, it is found that the fault strike bends approximately 7 ̊ further to in south-eastern (SE) direction between Yenikoy and Sofular villages. This angular change was defined with the advantage of multi-angular viewing capability of the multi-satellite sensors and DEM data. The newly generated surface geometry expression of Ganos segment was compared with Global Positioning System (GPS) velocity vectors.