Geological and geomorphological characteristics of the Umitli Plateau (Gundogmus, Antalya)

Abstract

Solution caves provide important contributions to geologists in solving the problem in the field. In the Umitli Plateau, between Manaloglu and Karacal Mountains, intensive terrain and underground karst processes are observed. The Umitli Plateau is situated in the Central Taurus which is located at the Gundogmus district, province of Antalya. 18 caves were discovered in a 2 km(2) area with the research performed in 2011. In this study, digital elevation model of the study area was plotted and the locations of the caves were processed in the digital elevation model. It has been observed that cracks and fractures are effective in the formation and development of caves that are along the faults on the side of the basin. In addition to that, the cross-section profiles of the caves have been plotted and they were examined according to the cave formation models to obtain information about the karst base level changes of the Umitli Plateau and the litho-stratigraphic characteristics of the study area.