Abstract: Numerical models have found widespread use in geosciences, mainly due to high-resolution datasets andthe development of supercomputing facilities with powerful data processing and storage capabilities during the past two decades. Instantaneous and time-dependent geodynamic modeling studies were carried out in many regions ofthe Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt, including the Anatolian Plate, to investigate mantle dynamics such as lower lithosphere deformation, upper mantle flow, and their surface implications.This study focuses on the instantaneous numerical modeling technique by considering multidimensional thermo mechanical models in the Central and East Anatolian plateaus. To this end, conventional geodynamic modeling processes are explained with a conceptual flow chart that shows a feed-forward back propagation modeling architecture which is nonlinearly fed by a large parameter space. While addressing a complex natural phenomen on controlled by variables on a wide range of space-time scales, the limitations as well as advantages of numerical models are analyzed. In addition to conventional techniques, systematic data improvement is discussed as a new strategy in data/parameter-dependent numerical model design through an iterative process based on the Grounded Theory method for the construction of an explanatory theory from the model. This involves not refinement but (re)construction of the data (i.e., measurement/analysis/scaling) as an effective way to reveal theory/information grounded in data. It is speculated that this procedure, which includes problem-oriented data reconstruction accompanying the numerical modeling process, may provide an integrated perspective for instantaneous numerical modelling.

Abstract: In an earth science-related research study, while investigating geological / engineering problems, numerical modeling functions in two stages; i) prior to the fieldwork, obtaining the survey parameters (conceptual model), and ii) subsequent to the fieldwork, confirming the accuracy of the estimated subsurface structures with thehelp of the conceptual model. Although the numerical modeling process alone is not sufficient in both stages, it ispossible to converge the numerical models in a realistic subsurface structure with additional information obtained from interdisciplinary studies.In this article, a workflow is proposed employing modeling studies used in earth sciences. Environmental pollution studies carried out on a now-unused open waste disposal site in Çanakkale (Türkiye) are presented following this workflow. Accordingly, tomography measurements were made by using the electrical resistivity method along the profiles determined based on a conceptual model, and then a hypothetical two-dimensional (2D) combined solute transport model was produced by obtaining the porosity cross-section from the subsurface resistivity structure of the study area. The results show the spatial and temporal variation of pollution in the land fill during the years  that geophysical measurements (i.e., 2004, 2008, and 2009) were taken, and the numerical modeling time (13,6 yrs). Besides, the numerical modeling results provide a conceptual model for future pollution studies in this area, with the length and depth of the possible survey profile (~40-250 m and 0-25 m, respectively). The results emphasize the importance of evaluating geophysical studies together with numerical models sensitive to the spatial and temporal spread of the pollution cloud emitted from a polluting source, such as an open dumpsite.

Abstract: Although there has been no earthquake in the Gediz (Alaşehir) Graben since the 1969 Alaşehir earthquaketo cause a surface rupture, serious surface cracks and depressions occur between the Alaşehir and Sarıgöl area. Studies performed in the region have not reached a consensus on whether these deformations are due to tectoniceffects / groundwater level changes. Our research claims to evaluate the 2D vertical and horizontal velocity ratios obtained by using the PS-InSAR technique in the light of geological information and to establish the tectonic model that caused the deformation. Forthis, Sentinel-1 satellite images between 2015-2023 were used. Accordingly, the deformation rate in the hanging wall of the Sarıgöl Fault is -26 mm/y and +3 mm/y in the footwall. This means that under the tectonic regime, the Bozdağ Horst is uplifing while the graben is continuously collapsing. The Swath profiles clearly show that the graben border faults directly control the subsidence geometry of the basin. The fact that we obtained 11 mm/y (westward)and 7 mm/y (eastward) horizontal movements in opposite directions in the area of the maximum vertical deformation area indicates that the subsidence occurred with radial bulging in the horizontal plane and in a synformal geometry vertically. That is, the horizontal movement is related to the geometry and type of the southern border faults that directly control the subsidence regime of the basin, rather than the NW-SE directional compression in the region. In addition, the vertical deformations, which increase towards the southern margin and decrease towards the interior of the basin, point that the main graben fault with listric geometry may have been caused by a domino-style reversalin the hanging-wall. The fact that the deformations are not visible from the west of Alaşehir is due to the fact thatthe Alaşehir and Salihli sub-basins mentioned in the literature are limited by a covered semi-vertical fault. The observations of inconsistencies in vertical velocity and groundwater level changes at some points and the fact thatthese points are close to surface ruptures caused by the Alaşehir earthquake suggest that a significant part of the deformations occurred under tectonic effects. As a result, the deformations between Alaşehir and Sarıgöl occurred with a-seismic creep that occurred duringthe on going inter seismic phase, in addition to the seismic pulses that developed in the coseismic phase of the 1969 Alaşehir earthquake. Therefore, attributing current deformations to groundwater level changes alone may lead toerroneous modellings. Sudden changes in the groundwater level cause the a-seismic deformation that will occurduring the interseismic phase to accelerate the sediment consolidation developed under tectonic control and cause deformations to occur rapidly.

Abstract: In Turkey, 78% of geothermal energy resources are located in Western Anatolia, 9% in Central Anatolia,7% in the Marmara Region, 5% in Eastern Anatolia, and 1% in other regions. The Cappadocia region standsout as an important area where many investments have been made in recent years to increase the potential of the geothermal sector. In recent years, drilling activities were carried out in and around Hasan Dağı volcano to find and utilise geothermal energy. The most important of these was carried out by the 3S Kale Energy company in theÇiftlik-Bozköy region, where temperature values of 295 °C at a depth of 3,814 meters and 341 °C from anotherdeeper drilling at a depth of 3,957 meters were obtained. Numerical modelling studies were carried out using datafrom these two individual drillings. According to the simulation results, the magma chamber (magma chamber roof),which acts as a heat source with a temperature of 600-700 °C at a depth of 7 km and/or 900-1,000 °C at a depth of8 km, must still be actively present in the upper crust to produce these temperature values. Magnetotelluric (MT) studies conducted in Hasan Dağı and vicinity suggest a potential magma chamber witha depth of 4-6 km and a width of approximately the same dimensions, especially in the profiles obtained towardsNigde plain. These MT studies and drilling data were evaluated together and temperature anomalies were obtainedfor possible drilling in and around Hasan Dağı. Accordingly, it is estimated that approximate temperature valuesof 120 °C at 3814 meters, 90 °C at 3,000 meters, 74 °C at 2,000 meters, and 41 °C at 1,000 meters will be obtained from geothermal drilling carried out in the flat areas located southwest of Hasan Dağı. The temperature ascends to 600°C at the equivalent depth beneath the magma chamber of Hasan Dağı. 

Abstract: The traditional explanation of slow dynamic subsidence and uplift of tectonic plates solely depends on the vertical motion of mantle density anomalies. This has been challenged by observations of rapid and short-live delevation changes exceeding 100 meters per-million-year in numerous sedimentary basins. Bodur et al., (2023) have shown that relative tectonic plate motion and associated basal shear stress can explain those rapid and short-live delevation changes. In this paper, I suggest a basic approach to quantify elevation changes resulting from basal shear stress by employing torque-balance calculations. The results confirm the existing flow model solution and offer amore robust formula for estimating the impact of plate motion on changes in Earth`s topography. Such function alitymay prove invaluable in various applications including interpretation of stratigraphic records.