Morphological and multivariate statistical analysis of quaternary monogenetic vents in the Central Anatolian Volcanic Province (Turkey): Implications for the volcano-tectonic evolution

The interaction and competition between magmatic and tectonic processes mostly control the spatial distribution and morphology of monogenetic volcanoes. The Central Anatolian Volcanic Province, situated in a strike slip environment, provides a remarkable opportunity to understand this relationship. We defined six monogenetic clusters and analyzed 540 Quaternary monogenetic volcanoes in terms of morphological and spatial characteristics. There is no distinct correlation among the morphological parameters of scoria cones or lava domes, possibly owing to the various factors and the sporadic nature of magmatic activity in the region. Our detailed multivariate statistical and vent alignment analyses together with several implications in the literature reveal that the CAVP is a tectonically-controlled intraplate volcanic field, which is mostly driven by regional deformations. The presence of both clustered and non-clustered vent distributions and the petrological characteristics of the volcanics within the region indicates that the dikes are derived directly by the pre-existing melt-bearing heterogeneous mantle (i.e., Egrikuyu monogenetic field) or the independent and short-lived shallow or deep crustal magma reservoirs (i.e., Nevsehir-Acig & ouml;l volcanic field). The local changes in the stress regimes and crustal lithology result in variations of field shape, spatial vent distribution, and vent alignments throughout the region. The triggering mechanisms for the initiation of the Quaternary volcanism in the region can be the lithosphericscale Central Anatolian fault zone, here considered as an immature rift zone where Erciyes volcanic field is developed and behaves as a possible magmatic transfer zone. Tuz G & ouml;l & uuml; fault zone as a western border of the so-called rift basin in the region is mostly responsible for the crustal propagation of magma, and the kinematic changes along this fault zone (i.e., strike-slip to normal) mostly shaped the spatial vent distributions and alignments of the clusters in its close proximity (e.g., Hasandag-Kegiboyduran volcanic field). (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study revealed that the Central Anatolian Volcanic Province is a tectonically-controlled intraplate volcanic field, predominantly driven by regional deformations, with sporadic nature of magmatic activity. Dikes are derived mainly from mantle or short-lived crustal magma reservoirs, and variations in stress regimes and crustal lithology result in changes in volcanic field shape, spatial distribution, and vent alignments. The initiation of Quaternary volcanism in the region is likely related to the Central Anatolian fault zone, acting as a potential magmatic transfer zone, while the Tuz Göl fault zone plays a significant role in crustal magma propagation and shaping spatial vent distributions and alignments.