Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni

Formation Conditions of Tazekent (Diyadin, Ağrı) Travertines and First Climatic Evidence

Abstract: Tazekent village is located in the Diyadin district of Ağrı province in Eastern Anatolia. The region is no table for its hot springs and rich travertine and tufa formations. In this study, the aim was to determine the geological evolution of the Tazekent travertines and shed light on the climatic changes during their formation. As aresult of sedimentological examinations, the travertines were differentiated in 7 facies. Thin sections were made from samples taken from travertines, SEM examinations were carried out and XRD analysis was performed on samples taken from paleosoils. As a result of the analysis and examinations, Tazekent travertines were determined to have formed with ridge type travertine morphology and in a slope environment, and that, generally hot and dry, sometimes cold, climate conditions prevailed during their formation. It was determined that the region is an activezone, the travertines formed simultaneously with tectonism and volcanism, and they continue to form today.