Recognition of gypsum geohorizons in the Sivas Basin (Turkey) using ASTER and Landsat ETM+ images

Abstract

The Tertiary Sivas Basin contains widespread, tectonically deformed deposits of massive Oligocene gypsum. This unit is one of the most important factors controlling the tectono‐stratigraphic evolution of the basin insofar as these deposits are interpreted as décollement levels. As a considerable fold and thrust belt, the Sivas Basin also has a remarkable structural expression within these evaporite deposits, as seen in satellite images aided by colour composites. Because of the arid climatic conditions of the region, the basin provides ease of interpretation geologically in terms of the synoptic‐view capability of broad‐band multispectral data sets, such as ASTER and Landsat ETM+. In this study, various processing methods — such as data fusion and decorrelation stretching — were applied to highlight Oligocene gypsum deposits of the basin.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported financially by the Cumhuriyet University Scientific Research Fund (CUBAP), under contract M‐140. The author would like to thank Steve Mittwede (English Editor of the Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences) for English language assistance.