Extensional folding in the Alasehir (Gediz) graben, western Turkey

The broad folds exposed in the syn-extensional sedimentary rocks of the Alasehir graben, western Turkey, have been recently interpreted as contractional in origin. Our field mapping of these folds suggests that they are the products of extensional tectonics. The field evidence includes the presence of several longitudinal extensional folds such as a rollover anticline and drag folds that are related to normal faults in the area. The extensional nature of these folds negates the previous interpretation and consequently suggests extensional tectonics in the region was not interrupted by short-lived contractional tectonics.