An assessment of seismicity and near surface geophysical characteristics of potential solid waste landfill sites in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkiye

This study aimed to assess the suitability of the potential solid waste landfill sites in seven provinces (Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, G & uuml;m & uuml;& scedil;hane, Bayburt and Artvin) in the Eastern Blacksea Region of T & uuml;rkiye. The earthquake hazard analysis for two major earthquakes which occurred in the region was first carried out. Then, the geophysical methods including seismic refraction tomography (SRT), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) were conducted to find out the structural and physical properties of the subsurface which include the layering, soil classification based on V-S30 and the groundwater content at 25 locations of 13 in target provinces. The integrated interpretation of whole data sets demonstrates that I & scedil;& imath;ktepe, Esence, & Ccedil;amburnu and Kazanta & scedil; which are characterized by V-P > 1200 m/s, V-S30 >= 400 m/s, rho > 70 Ohm-m, low earthquake hazard and seismicity are more suitable among others. Vezirk & ouml;pr & uuml;, & Scedil;ebinkarahisar, Yenice, Bayburt-Center, Balkaynak and Murgul will be suitable after a geotechnical reclamation due to moderate seismic velocities and electrical resistivity which are 900 < V-P <= 1200 m/s, 200 < V-S30 < 400 m/s and 10 < rho <= 70 Ohm-m representing stiff and wet soils. In addition, Bafra, A & gbreve;al & imath;k and Ovac & imath;k were considered to be unsuitable due to the presence of thick, water-saturated soft soil and extremely weathered rocks. Finally, this study shows that the joint interpretation of seismicity and geophysical data in potential waste landfill sites, extremely important for the planning and development of a city, can provide the valuable information which will enable to prevent possible deformations, environmental problems and economic losses after waste landfill.