In the framework of the ANR program Basiliznik Secrets led by J. De Sigoyer at Isterre, in Grenoble, France, we have opened a post-doctoral position to conduct work in geomorphology and paleoseismology. The research program is focused on the middle strand of the North Anatolian fault (MNAF), which is not well known compared the northern strand of the NAF. Until now investigations have been mostly focused around the lake of Iznik where we have developed various approaches, from archeology to lake coring, bathymetry and seismology. Here we propose to work more specifically on the on-shore segments of the middle strand of the North Anatolian Fault.

On land we have propose a new fault segmentation, and observed cumulative offsets of geomorphological markers based on pleiade images analyses, Benjelloun et al., 2021. Some trenches were open in the past always limited in their interpretation by the lack of material to date.

The main target of this work would be to unravel the organization of past earthquakes along the MNAF. The main tool to achieve this goal will be paleoseismology trenching. We also envision to reevaluate the value of the Quatenary slip rate along that strand of the NAF, which is ill-constrained so far. Based on our previous work along the middle strand of the NAF we already have potential target sites for future trenches, but these sites will be reassessed together with the applicant. That part of the work would involve improving the map of the actual active segments, using drone film and Ground Penetrating Radar acquired on different fault segments. looking for geomorphic offsets along the fault. A special attention will be drive on the onland prolongation of the faults observed in the lake. We nevertheless do not exclude the possibility to study the fault segment farther east, closer to the connection between the middle and the northern strands of the NAF. Trenches will be open on the more promising segments.

I

Updated on 8 December 2023