Coulomb Stress Analysis in Nemrut Caldera (Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye)

Abstract

Abstract In volcanic areas, seismic events with low energy occur before earthquake activity or due to the movement observed in the magma. These earthquakes, which are caused by the expansion-contraction movement that has been revealed in different studies and is mostly observed in the magma chamber, can be recorded with continuous observations. On the other hand, it is not easy to distinguish between tectonic and volcanic origins of earthquakes occurring in volcanic areas. In this study, Coulomb stress analysis was carried out using earthquakes in the Nemrut Stratovolcano, which is located in eastern Anatolia and is at the westernmost end of a volcano arc. The results demonstrate a very good correlation between positive Coulomb stress changes and earthquake hypocentre depths. It was concluded that the stress is related to the Nemrut Caldera, therefore the positive stress caused by the expansion of the magma chamber of the Nemrut Volcano creates tremors.