Research Article

Determination of the Active Tectonics of Siirt City and Its Surroundings in the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone Foreland Using Geomorphological Data

Number: 55 June 30, 2026
TR EN

Determination of the Active Tectonics of Siirt City and Its Surroundings in the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone Foreland Using Geomorphological Data

Abstract

Siirt and its surroundings are in the foreland of the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone (BZSZ), a prominent neotectonic structure formed by the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian plates. However, studies focusing on the tectonic features of this foreland region near the BZATZ are limited. This study aims to investigate the effects of active tectonism in Siirt and its surroundings, situated within BZATZ, using geomorphological data, and to identify the active faults in the region. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies and geomorphological analysis methods were applied during the evaluation process. The results reveal significant variations in slope values over short distances, reflecting the influence of active tectonics in and around Siirt. A range of tectonically induced landforms have developed, including hanging valleys, fault scarps, landslides, terraces, linear valleys, offset streams, alluvial fans, shutter ridges, and pressure ridges. Both right-lateral and left-lateral strike-slip faults were identified. The right-lateral faults are interpreted as the southward continuation—within a broad deformation zone—of the Kozluk-Narlı Fault described by Perinçek et al. (1987). These faults, which have caused notable deformation and stream offsets, are referred to in this study collectively as the “Kozluk-Narlı Fault Zone.” Future research should focus on delineating the boundaries, geometry, and active tectonic characteristics of this fault zone beyond the current study area. Many of the previously identified active faults in the Siirt region, near the BZATZ, appear incomplete.

Keywords

Project Number

Proje desteği bulunmamaktadır.

References

  1. Açıkbaş, D., Akgül, A., & Erdoğan, L.T., (1981). Güneydoğu Anadolu’nun hidrokarbon olanakları ve Baykan-Şirvan-Pervari yöresinin jeolojisi. TPAO, Rapor No: 1543.
  2. Agard, P., Omrani, J., Jolivet, L., Whitechurch, H., Vrielynck, B., Spakman, W., Monie, P., Meyer, B., & Wortel, R. (2011). Zagros orogeny: A subduction-dominated process. Geological Magazine, 148, 692-725.
  3. Aghanabati, A., (1993). Geological Map of Middle East with the Scale of 1:5000, 000. Geological Survey of Iran, CGMW (Commission of the Geological Map of the World), Paris, France.
  4. Akbayram, K., Bayrak, E., Pamuk, E., Özer, Ç., Kıranşan, K., & Varolgüneş, S. (2022). Dynamic sub-surface characteristic and the active faults of the Genç District locating over the Bingöl Seismic Gap of the East Anatolian Fault Zone, Eastern Türkiye. Natural Hazards, 114(1), 825-847.
  5. Akbayram, K., Kıranşan, K., Varolgüneş, S., Büyükakpınar, P., Karasözen, E., & Bayık, Ç. (2023). Multidisciplinary analyses of the rupture characteristic of the June 14, 2020, M w 5.9 Kaynarpınar (Karlıova, Bingöl) earthquake reveal N70E-striking active faults along the Yedisu Seismic Gap of the North Anatolian Fault Zone. International Journal of Earth Sciences, 112(2), 489-509.
  6. Arpat, E., & Şaroğlu, F. (1972). The East Anatolian Fault System: Thoughts on its development. Bull. Miner. Res. Explor. Inst., Ankara, 78, 33-39.
  7. Atabey, E. (2000). Deprem. MTA Müdürlüğü Yayını, 34, 71.
  8. Atalay, İ. (1975). Tektonik hareketlerin Sultandağları’nın jeomorfolojisine olan etkileri. Türkiye Jeoloji Kurumu Bülteni, 18, 21-26.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Türkiye Physical Geography

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

August 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 55

APA
Kıranşan, K., & Akbayram, K. (2026). Determination of the Active Tectonics of Siirt City and Its Surroundings in the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone Foreland Using Geomorphological Data. Doğu Coğrafya Dergisi, 55, 185-197. https://doi.org/10.17295/ataunidcd.1760106
AMA
1.Kıranşan K, Akbayram K. Determination of the Active Tectonics of Siirt City and Its Surroundings in the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone Foreland Using Geomorphological Data. Eastern Geographical Review. 2026;(55):185-197. doi:10.17295/ataunidcd.1760106
Chicago
Kıranşan, Kemal, and Kenan Akbayram. 2026. “Determination of the Active Tectonics of Siirt City and Its Surroundings in the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone Foreland Using Geomorphological Data”. Doğu Coğrafya Dergisi, nos. 55: 185-97. https://doi.org/10.17295/ataunidcd.1760106.
EndNote
Kıranşan K, Akbayram K (June 1, 2026) Determination of the Active Tectonics of Siirt City and Its Surroundings in the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone Foreland Using Geomorphological Data. Doğu Coğrafya Dergisi 55 185–197.
IEEE
[1]K. Kıranşan and K. Akbayram, “Determination of the Active Tectonics of Siirt City and Its Surroundings in the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone Foreland Using Geomorphological Data”, Eastern Geographical Review, no. 55, pp. 185–197, June 2026, doi: 10.17295/ataunidcd.1760106.
ISNAD
Kıranşan, Kemal - Akbayram, Kenan. “Determination of the Active Tectonics of Siirt City and Its Surroundings in the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone Foreland Using Geomorphological Data”. Doğu Coğrafya Dergisi. 55 (June 1, 2026): 185-197. https://doi.org/10.17295/ataunidcd.1760106.
JAMA
1.Kıranşan K, Akbayram K. Determination of the Active Tectonics of Siirt City and Its Surroundings in the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone Foreland Using Geomorphological Data. Eastern Geographical Review. 2026;:185–197.
MLA
Kıranşan, Kemal, and Kenan Akbayram. “Determination of the Active Tectonics of Siirt City and Its Surroundings in the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone Foreland Using Geomorphological Data”. Doğu Coğrafya Dergisi, no. 55, June 2026, pp. 185-97, doi:10.17295/ataunidcd.1760106.
Vancouver
1.Kemal Kıranşan, Kenan Akbayram. Determination of the Active Tectonics of Siirt City and Its Surroundings in the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone Foreland Using Geomorphological Data. Eastern Geographical Review. 2026 Jun. 1;(55):185-97. doi:10.17295/ataunidcd.1760106

Content of this journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License

29929