PRE-INVESTIGATION OF THE KAT COUNTY LANDSLIDES IN THE NORTH ANATOLIAN FAULT ZONE (TOKAT-TURKEY): STRUCTURAL AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL ASPECTS

4th International Scientific Conference - SGEM2004, www.sgem.org, SGEM2004 Conference Proceedings/ ISBN: 954-918181-2, June 14-18, 2004, 15- 24pp

ABSTRACT

During the last 20 years, the northern and central part of the Kat county has been
affected by many landslides. Especially in very wet years many landslides of different
volumes occurred. These mainly affected the rocks which are well known for being
prone to slope movements of many types of sizes. The bedrocks of the study area are
metabasalts and sedimentary series. These rocks are overlain by younger alluvium and
debris materials. Monitoring during the last seven years has indicated that the slopes
are still active, and that the present location of the Kat county will continue to be
affected by future landsliding. This article presents the pre-investigations of the
landslides, in a point view of geological, structural and geomorphological aspects.
Kinematical analyses showed that the potential slope instabilities are in the main
directions of NW-SE, NE-SW and N-S, these directions are same with the dominant
slope directions of the study area. These analyses gave results, which correspond well
with real instability conditions in the study area. Jointing and faulting, steep
topography, water incisions, and heavy rainfall played a significant role in the
occurrence of the landslides.

Key words: Geomorphology, Kat, kinematical analyses, landslide, slope stability,
structural