Relationship between the Geological Units and Soil Groups: A Case Study around the Hatıp-Kaşınhanı (Konya-Turkey)

Abstract

In this study, it is investigated whether the soil classes in the region between Hatıp and Kaşınhanı (Konya-Turkey) are related to geological units. The Upper Triassic-Lower Cretaceous Lorasdağı formation which is composed of limestone, dolomitic limestone and dolomites and the Upper Cretaceous aged Midostepe formation consisting of clayey limestone, radiolarite, shale and marl are the basement of the area between Hatıp and Kaşınhanı (Konya). These units contain tectonic contact with the Upper Cretaceous Hatip Ophiolitic Melange and Çayırbağı Ophiolite. The Upper Miocene-Lower Pliocene aged Sille and Ulumuhsine formations are unconformably overlying these all units. All these units cut by Upper Miocene-Pliocene Erenlardağı volcanites. The Quaternary - Holocene young sediments consisting of alluvial fan and the terrestrial clastics cover all the units underneath. According to the classic soil classification, zonal and azonal soils are located in the study area. These soils formed generally depending on the geological characteristics of the host rocks based on the preliminary observations. While the area where Lorasdağı limestone seen is called as "Bare Rock", the soils located on the ophiolitic rocks are generally zonal soils such as "Red Brown Soils" and "Brown Forest Soils". The soils located on the Ulumuhsine formation with clayey limestone, sandstone and marl alternation correspond to "Red Brown soils'" and "Brown Soils" classes from zonal soils. The soils located on the Erenlerdağ volcanites in the southwest of the study area are classified as "Limeless Brown Forest Soils" from zonal soils. Alluvium, which is composed of current terrestrial sediments, is classified as "Alluvial Soils" from azonal soils.