New insights on the tectonic setting and evolution around the apex of the Isparta Angle (SW Turkey)

Recently acquired data lead to a revision of the structure around the apex of the Isparta Angle (area around Isparta). In the autochthonous/parautochthonous carbonate platform several blocks are identified as having followed distinctive palaeogeographical evolutions during Mesozoic times. These blocks are: the Kır Dağları, the Barla Dağ, the Söbü Dağ and the Bey Dağları. However, the latter two blocks cannot be considered as identical as previously believed. A major thrust fault may separate these blocks, which may be substantially allochthonous with respect to the relatively autochthonous Bey Dağları. Within the allochthon, in the Isparta Çay area, studied here, Mesozoic deep‐marine sequences are thrust duplicated many times. The tectonic history of the area is polyphased, the main events being in the Late Cretaceous (initiation of shortening), pre‐Miocene (Antalya Nappe emplacement), and Late Miocene/Pliocene (Aksu thrusting). The Aksu phase reactivates older thrusts and has given rise to the most prominent relief of the area (the Davras Dağ, 2600 m). Palaeogeographic reconstructions are proposed to take account of all the above data. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.