| The evolution of geologic structures along active faults is influenced by crustal deformation associated with several repetitions of the earthquake cycle, in addition to surficial processes accompanying geologic time. Within this theme, this study focuses on the Sultandagi-Aksehir Fault (SAF), which bounds the Aksehir-Afyon graben and the Sultan Dag range, in southwestern Turkey. The SAF has been associated with several large earthquakes over the past several centuries. During the past decade, a sequence of moderate-size earthquakes occurred along the SAF, including a Mw 6.0 earthquake (December 15th, 2000) and a Mw 6.5 earthquake (February 3rd, 2002). These earthquakes provide an opportunity to study earthquake interactions along adjacent fault patches. This study investigates the 2000-2002 earthquakes with respect to coulomb stress migration and the implications of the same in terms of stress changes on adjacent fault segments. To address these questions, maps of co-seismic surface displacements were produced using Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR). The resulting displacement maps provided a basis for estimating faulting parameters associated with each earthquake (fault orientation and slip) using elastic dislocation models. These fault models were subsequently used to estimate static coulomb stress changes resulting from the earthquakes. The findings suggest that although the two events of December 15, 2000, were not directly related to one another in terms of stress triggering, both events can be related to the 2002 earthquake in terms of stress triggering and extent of rupture. |
