Geology and sratigraphy of the Cainozoic Sedimantary Rocks in the Kale-Kurbalık Area, Denizli, Southwestern Turkey

In this work, the geological and stratigraphical characteristics of the Cainozoic sedimentary rocks exposed at the Kale-Kurbalik (SW Denizli) area have been investigated. In the study area the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic rocks form the basement rocks and are overlain by the Oligocene to the Quaternary aged sedimentary rocks. The Tertiary rocks have been considered in two groups, namely the Akcay group and the Mugla group. The Oligocene to the Burdigalian aged Akcay group is represented by the Karadere, Mortuma, Yenidere, Kunar and Kale formations. During this time interval, mostly the terrestrial fine and coarse clastics were deposited, but in the last stage of this time shallow marine carbonates were sedimented on the some parts of the region. There is an angular unconformity between the Mortuma and the Yenidere formations of the Akcay group; others are conformable to each other. The Akcay group is 4100 meter thick. The Upper Astarasian (Middle Miocene) to Pliocene aged Mugla group which overlies the Akcay group uncorformably is formed of the Sekkoy, Yatagan and Milet formations. During this time interval, the lacustrine siltstones and carbonates and the terrestrial coarse elastics were deposited. The formations of the Mugla group are conformable and gradational to each other. The Mugla group is 550 meter thick. The Quaternary deposits have been considered in two units, namely "Lower" and "Upper" Quaternary sediments. Only the Mortuma formation of all units of the study area is gently folded, but others have low degree dips. Tectonic activity has played a big important role in the forming of the various sedimentary basins which have been generated since the beginning of the Oligocene up to the present.