Occurrences of the asphaltic substances in Southeastern Turkey and their genesis

• Published in: Bulletin of the Mineral Research and Exploration Vol. 72; no. 72; p. 74
• Main Author: Richard F. LEBKUCHNER
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration 01-01-1969
• ISSN: 0026-4563; 2651-3048

In an area of approximately 17,200 km2 in Southeastern Turkey a prospection was carried out in all parts where occurrences of asphaltic substances could be expected in accord with the stratigraphical-tectonic situation. The author describes the vein-like occurrences, partially explored by trenches and drillings, which attain a length of up to 3500 meters (Avgamasya and Milli veins) and locally a width up to 80 m (Avgamasya vein). The author arrives at the conclusion that tectonic events, such as upthrusts and overthrusts, caused the opening of often irregular systems of deep-reaching, broad, gaping fissures. In particular, tilting of strata below the overthrusts was observed, whereas diagonal fissures are a very striking feature of the hanging parts. Soft masses of asphalt originating from a former oil horizon, intricately mixed with mineral substance, were squeezed into these fissures right up to the surface region, under the pressure of overlying rock masses. An «asphaltic pyrobituminous shale» in the «Cudi group» was recognized as one of the ancient oil horizons.