Sedimentological Characteristics of the Cukurbag Formation Deposited along the Ecemis Fault Zone, Central Anatolia, Turkey

The Oligocene Cukurbag Formatron, deposrted within a long narrow basln surrounded by the Aladag, Ulukisla, and Nigde metamorphic Groups, consists of conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, marl, mudstone-gypsum successions A number of analytlcal methods includlng morphological, mineralogical, and chemical techniques were employed to Investigate the sedimentological characteristics of the formation According to the grain size analyses, sediments of the formation are very poorly sorted wlth strong positive to near symmetrical skewness The analyses show that irregular flow reglme should have occurred during sedimentation of the Cukurbag Formation These sediments comprises mainly of quartz, feldspars, calcite, chnopyroxene and Fe-oxides Common clay minerals lnclude smectite, chlorite, and kaolinite The chernlcal analyses carrled out on the samples representing the bottom to the top of the formation indicated that S₁O₂, A1₂0₃,, K₂0, and P₂0₅, contents are low compared to the world mudstone averages However, MgO, CaO, and C contents are comparatively high Four measured profiles showing the distribution of principle facies within the formation are prepared Based on the profile analyses, seven distinct hthological facies were distinguished that include masslve conglomerate, bedded conglomerate, stratified sandstone, cross-bedded sandstone, lamlnated siltstone, masslve mudstone-mail, and laminated mudstone-gypsum This study suggests that the sediments of this formation must have been reworked material transported from unknown distances and deposited In an alluvial fan-braided stream and lacustrine environments.