LIAG

Lake Van - Paleogeophysical characterization of a climate archive

PALEOVAN

An international scientific team investigates the Lake Van sedimental deposits with geophysical, geological, mineralogical and paleoecological measurements. The ICDP project PALEOVAN is excecuted by eight groups from Germany, Switzerland and Turkey.

: Seismic profile of drilling location 'Ahlat Ridge'. Modified after Litt et al. (2009).

What is special about Lake Van?

Lake Van is a terminal lake, located in Northeast-Anatolia. It is assumed that sedimentary deposits of about ~ 500 000 years bp are preserved. Therefore Lake Van presents an excellent archive of the last glacial-interglacial cycles. The tectonic setting is controlled by it‘s location at a collision zone of the Arabian- and the Anatolian/ Eurasian plate. Lake Van is surrounded by several volcanos which are sources of pyroclastic deposits in the lake sediments. Dating of volcanic events and evaluation of it‘s environmental impact is possible by studying pregnant tephra layers. Geological investigations (seismic, shallow coring) have led to identification of suitable drilling locations with undisturbed sediments (right figure). The unique geological conditions predestine Lake Van as a high resolution climate archive in the Middle East.

Scientific targets and perspectives of the LIAG

Development of a high resolution lithological profile
Petrophysical characterisation of the lithological units
Investigation of sedimentary structures
Analysis of variations within the petrophysical parameters (applicable as climate sensitive indicators)
Study of cyclicity in climate signals and correlation with orbital events (Milanković-Cycles and Sub-Milanković-Cycles)

Downhole logging
Application of: Spectral Gamma-Ray, Susceptibility, Resistivity, Dipmeter, Sonic and Borehole Televiewer.

Petrophysics on core samples
Measuring of basic petrophysical parameters (Density, Porosity, Permeability) and special core analysis (CT, NMR).