Evolution of neotectonic activity of East Anatolian Fault System (EAFS) in Bingöl pull-apart basin, based on fractal dimension and morphometric indices

• The tectonic influence of the EAFS in the Bingöl pull-apart basin is analyzed.
• Fractal concepts and morphometric Indices are applied to pull-apart basin area.
• Morphometric indices are spatially analyzed using the Moran’s I.
• The spatial distribution of index values is evaluated with the fault lines.
• Results reveal the tectonic influence of the EAFS on the basin area.

This study is an attempt of a semi-automatic geomorphological GIS analysis based on morphometric indices. In the study, 10-m-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are used to assess the neotectonic signals regarding the recent topographic developments and to attach additional significance to active tectonics in the Bingöl basin area. The methodology incorporates the determination of the structural similarities of the faults in the basins using fractal concepts and the application of four morphometric indices (Stream Power Index (SP), Multi-resolution Index of Valley Bottom Flatness (MRVBF), Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI) and Valley Width-to-Height Ratio (Vf)). In order to detect the deviation from spatial randomness of the applied indices, the weighted correlation coefficient Moran’s I is used and the results are interpreted at a confidence interval of 99%. The spatial distribution of integrated index values is evaluated with the tectonically active fault zones in order to determine the probable activity and the structural deformation in the basin.The applied methodology reveals that the fractal analysis of the fault lines and the spatial analysis of the morphometric indices proved to be effective tools in analyzing the tectonic influence of the fault system on the basin area. Within the basin area, a relatively lesser degree of tectonic activity is observed, in contrast with the high tectonic activity outside the basin.