The Biruni Fault of the Anatolian Diagonal: Morphological, Seismological and Seismic Reflection Data and Implications for the Neotectonic Framework of the Eastern Mediterranean

Nuray Şahbaz; Esra Tunçel; Bülent Kaypak; Gürol Seyitoğlu

doi:10.25288/tjb.1764368

The Biruni Fault of the Anatolian Diagonal: Morphological, Seismological and Seismic Reflection Data and Implications for the Neotectonic Framework of the Eastern Mediterranean

Authors : Nuray Şahbaz, Esra Tunçel, Bülent Kaypak, Gürol Seyitoğlu

Pages : 45-72

Doi:10.25288/tjb.1764368

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Publication Date : 2026-01-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The Anatolian Diagonal is a prominent left-lateral shear zone that plays a key role in the neotectonic framework of Türkiye, spanning 170 km between the Central Anatolian and East Anatolian fault zones and extending approximately 850 km from Erzincan to the Cyprus Arc. Its southwestern onshore termination is represented by the Ecemiş-Deliler Fault, while its offshore continuation, the Biruni Fault, trends toward the Cyprus Arc. This study aims to characterise the southwestern end of the Ecemiş-Deliler Fault through geomorphic markers, and to identify the Biruni Fault using key offshore seismic reflection profiles and geological cross-sections provided by Turkish Petroleum. Focal mechanism solutions for offshore seismic events are also examined to assess fault kinematics. Based on onshore observations, a left-lateral offset of 18 km along the Göksu River indicates a long-term slip rate of approximately 2.25 mm/year at the southwestern end of the Ecemiş-Deliler Fault. Offshore, detailed definition and mapping of the Biruni Fault revealed that it comprises a zone of closely spaced, parallel strike-slip segments in its northeastern sector, transitioning into a single linear fault trace that extends south westward toward the Aegean Arc. Despite its clear morphological expression, the southwest end of Ecemiş-Deliler fault and the Biruni Fault of the Anatolian Diagonal have low seismic activity, likely because most regional deformation is accommodated further west along the Antalya-Kekova Fault Zone and the Ptolemy–Pliny–Strabo Fault Zone. The restraining stepovers of the Antalya Thrust and Fethiye Thrust between these structures provide new insight into a slip partitioning in the eastern Mediterranean.
Keywords : Anadolu Çaprazı, Biruni Fayı, Doğu Akdeniz, Ecemiş-Deliler Fay Zonu, morfotektonik, neotektonik

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