Analysis of the temporal and topographical changes in anthropogenic geomorphological conditions caused by mining in the Anatolian side of Istanbul (Turkiye)

In Istanbul, Türkiye’s megacity with its dense urbanization, commercial areas, transport networks, and mining activities in certain regions, anthropogenic geomorphological conditions have developed in various dimensions. In this study, the topographical changes caused by open-pit mines, stone and sand quarries concentrated in the northern part of the Anatolian side of Istanbul were examined from an anthropogeomorphological perspective. The temporal change of mining areas was analysed using Landsat and Sentinel multispectral satellite images. In contrast, topographic changes (elevation and slope) were analysed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques based on DEM data from 1990 to 2018. The effects of the resulting anthropogeomorphological processes were examined in terms of 5-year periods and total values using Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) analyses. According to the findings, the number of mining areas increased by 752% between 1985 and 2025. According to continuity analysis, anthropogeomorphological effects have been observed for 40 years in the north and west of the Ömerli Dam and around Hüseyinli. Analysis of DEM data from 1990 to 2018 revealed that the topography in some areas has changed between − 140 m and + 63 m. This has led to changes in slope values, aspect, valley-slope system, and drainage structure in the mining areas of the study site that exhibit continuity. It was determined that 47.3% of the study area was affected by excavation and 42.7% by anthropogenic accumulation of geomorphological processes. Excavation activities removed 20 × 10 7 m 3 of material, and the accumulation-piling process resulted in 97 × 10 6 m 3 of fill. As a result of mining-induced anthropogeomorphological conditions, a decrease in NDVI values and an increase in LST values have been observed in the vicinity of the Ömerli Dam and Hüseyinli.