About 28-30% of the total land area of the province of Denizli is covered by plains, 25% by plateaus and highlands and 47% by mountains. The lowest and highest points of the region are Saraykoy and Cameli with elevations of 170 m and 1350 m above mean sea level, respectively. The elevation of the city center is 350 m. The digital elevation model showing the topographic structure of the province is given in Fig. 2.3.
The topographic and geomorphologic structure of the province is analyzed in three major categories: (i) plains, (ii) plateaus, and (iii) mountains and valleys.
The plains of Denizli province are grouped into two categories as lowland and highland plains with average elevations of 200 m and 900 m, respectively. The plains of the province are accessible from east to the west in the form of successive steps, the lowest point of which is the Buyuk Menderes Plain. The first step is the Dazkiri and Cardak highland plains that are located at the Afyon border and the Civril and Baklan highlands in the northern parts of the province. The next step is the Kaklik plain followed by Boceli plain. Saraykoy plain follows Boceli, which is finally followed by the Buyuk Menderes Plain that serves as a gateway to the province of Aydin.
Figure 2.3. Topographical map of Denizli (Digital elevation map)
Major plateaus of the province could be named as: Karayayla and Cameli plateaus in the district of Kale; Bagbasi and Uzunpinar plateaus in Denizli Central District; Yoran and Sahman plateaus in the district of Tavas; Eseler plateau in the district of Acipayam; Suleymaniye plateau in the district of Buldan; Homa plateau in the district of Civril and Kuyucak plateau in the district of Cal. In addition to these major plateaus, numerous others with smaller sizes are also present within the provincial boundaries.
Mount Honaz with an altitude of 2,571 m is the highest point of the province and the entire Aegean Region. Other mountains of the province could be named as: Akdag (2,449 m), Bozdag (2,421 m), Babadag (2,308 m), Eseler (2,254 m), Kizilhisar (2,241 m), Bulkaz (1,990 m), Buyukcokelez (1,840 m), Elmadag (1,805 m), Besparmak (1,307 m) and Sazak (1,145 m). Finally, Buyuk Menderes and Curuksu valleys are the most fertile areas of the province. These valleys cover a large area extending from the districts of Saraykoy, Buldan and Akkoy towards Boceli and Goncali villages of the central district as well as the town of Pamukkale.
2.3. GEOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY
The land characteristic of the Province of Denizli is from the fourth period and is mainly composed of metamorphic rocks and sedimentary alluviums. The geological periods of land structure are complex. The soils of the province are mostly from the Neogene Age. Clayey-silty sandstone, claystone, sandy siltstone, silty-sandy gravelstone and gravelstone are the Neogene-aged deposits in the province. Clay-silt-sand-gravel unit, silt unit, sand-silt-clay unit and organic clay-silt unit are among the Quaternary-aged sediments in the province. The fan sediments are characterized by clay-silt-sand-gravel unit, sandy gravel unit and pebbly gravel unit.
Denizli is at the intersection point of Gediz, Buyuk Menderes and Curuksu grabens. In particular, the fault lines that form these grabens intersect around Denizli and Saraykoy. Since projected area is located within the first-degree earthquake zone (see Figure 2.4) preferably earthquake resistant pipe-“ductile iron pipe” was used for the water supply system rehabilitation project. According to the Turkish Regulation on Disaster Management for Infrastructure Systems, materials used in the pipeline in disaster sensitive areas should be made of flexible material which resists earth movements; and pipe joints should be resistant to breaking and rupturing; and should be made of corrosion resistant material. In addition; pipe joints should have either gasket or fusion weld.
Those specifications (that Iller Bankası – Province Bank accepts) have been considered in the pipe material selection process. Thus ductile iron pipe and fittings with joints that have expansion and deflection capabilities have been specified in the project design.
Figure 2.4. Active faults of Denizli
2.4. SOIL PATTERN
The large soil groups observed in Denizli province and their sizes are given as follows:
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Alluvial soils- 75,692 ha
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Red yellow padzolic soils- 29,107 ha
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Colluvial soils- 134,457 ha
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Non-calcareous brown forest soils
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Rendzina soils- 113,052 ha
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Brown forest soils- 318,896 ha
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Red brown Mediterranean soils- 234,748 ha
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Red Mediterranean soils- 38,055 ha
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Non-calcareous brown soils- 40,430 ha
The residential area of Denizli is situated over Rendzina and Colluvial soils. In the hilly region between Honaz, Eskihisar and Kumkisik, soil class is generally VI-VIII. These are calcareous dolomite and marn soils with a natural cover of brush and weed. In the irrigated areas, land uses are primarily vineyards, gardens where as in non-irrigated areas, land uses are mainly grain. Pastures and scrub areas are also present in regions where agriculture is not practiced.
Colluvial soils that spans through the Kayhan-Hacieyuplu band is mainly Class II soils. In recent years, the city of Denizli has developed towards these soils located to the west of the city. The same type soils also extend as a band through Eskihisar-Akkonak to the west. Both sides of Curuksu Creek have alluvial soils suitable for irrigated farming that are predominantly Class II soils. Non-calcareous brown soils are observed in Sirinkoy-Goveclik-Kayakoy triangle located in western part of the province. Partly brush, meadow lands also exist in the region.
Rendzina soils also extend from Hacieyuplu towards northwest direction. On the other hand, the highly sloping mountainous area located to the south are composed of Class VII red brown Mediterranean soils. Agricultural fields in the region have salinity problems and are under the risk of water and wind erosion. Thus, factors such as soil class, agricultural and irrigational areas must be considered as particularly important data layers for environmental planning in Denizli, particularly in urban residential planning decisions.
Economy of the region depends mainly on agricultural products and industrial plants. Food demands of the growing population are met by local agricultural production. Therefore, highly productive agricultural lands must not be subject to urban development. Consequently, new urban areas must be developed on geologically suitable areas that are not appropriate for agriculture.
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