Gürlevik Tufa Waterfall: Facies Characteristics, Depositional Systems and Geoheritage Potential (Erzincan, East Anatolia)

Gürlevik tufa, located in the southeast of the Erzincan (East Anatolia) pull-apart basin, represents a typical cascade/waterfall deposit developed in a fluvial environment. Calcareous tufa formed at three different levels. However, the facies properties and depositional system of the Gürlevik tufa formation remain unknown. This study aims to investigate the evolution of the tufa deposits and to clarify their facies changes in this tectonically active basin. For this purpose, seven measured sedimentary logs were obtained from field studies, and the lithofacies were described and interpreted based on their morphological properties, microscopic and biological contents. According to facies analysis, six lithofacies were identified and two depositional systems (perched springline/cascade and barrage-dammed) were determined. The monumental cascade/waterfall tufa accumulation is a consequence active tectonic and climatic factors in the region. Gürlevik tufa deposits are located in a protected natural site. This preliminary study draws attention to the geological importance of these sedimentary rocks, which record climate changes with high precision, as well as their geological heritage potential, that should be preserved and transferred to future generations.