Crustal discontinuities in Central Anatolia: insights from 2D weighted compact gravity inversion and gradient-based methods

Abstract In this study, crustal discontinuities in Central Anatolia were investigated using 2D weighted compact gravity inversion (2DWCGI) and gravity gradient-based techniques (HGM, TA, SI). Spectral analysis identified key structural boundaries at depths of 4.5 km (basement), 17 km (Conrad), 34 km (Moho), and 116 km (LAB). Inversion tests on two profiles yielded a maximum RMS error of 0.00074 mGal with a depth uncertainty of ~ 2 km. Density models reveal high-density zones ranging between 2.68 and 2.74 g/cm 3 , particularly along the CAFZ and NFZ, extending to depths of 15–20 km. The westward motion of the Anatolian block at a rate of 20–25 mm/yr imposes regional stress, which controls the development of the newly proposed left-lateral Gözlükuyu Fault and other crustal discontinuities. This fault is supported by HGM, TA, SI, and focal mechanism solutions. Earthquake hypocenters from the ISC catalog are mostly concentrated between 10 and 18 km, indicating that deformation is focused within the crust. Furthermore, this study demonstrates, for the first time, the applicability of the SI method for lineament mapping, with 0-contours effectively delineating major faults with significant vertical components. These findings provide quantitative insights into the complex tectonic framework of Central Anatolia and offer new input for seismic hazard assessment.