Determining bedrock of the northern part of I˙zmir Bay, western Anatolia, using a combination of microtremor, ESPAC, VES, and microgravity methods

To decrease the damage in case of earthquake, the creation of soil-engineering bedrock models for new constructions planned on weak soil, which are located in seismically active zone, is very important. In some cases, preparing soil-engineering bedrock model can be economically difficult where engineering bedrock depth is deeper. In this study, in order to indicate the important results of low-cost geophysical studies, the Menemen Plain and Gediz Delta area, located in the north of the inner İzmir Bay, were selected as new growing industrial zones. In this context, microgravity, microtremor, for obtaining predominant vibration period, and ESPAC methods, for defining VS profile along the soil and engineering bedrock, were conducted all over a study area. After that, all results of these methods were compared and, then, combined with VES results. Finally, soil-engineering bedrock models were prepared for obtaining a 2.5D model and it was observed that the Bornova Flysch reaches up to the surface on an SW-NE line extending to the east of the area. This confirms that the applied geophysical studies resulted very successful and appropriate methods providing a correct interpretation for low-cost bedrock modelling.