Marmara Sea Pits Act as Earthquake Barriers for Istanbul

WISE NEWS PRESS / ISTANBUL, TURKEY — JAN. 2, 2026

Prominent geologist Prof. Osman Bektaş has revealed that deep tectonic depressions in the Sea of Marmara function as "natural barriers" that absorb seismic energy and prevent fault lines from rupturing all at once.

As the region remains on high alert for a potential major quake, Bektaş’s analysis suggests that the geological structure of the seabed may mitigate the risk of a single, catastrophic event by forcing the North Anatolian Fault to break in smaller, segmented intervals.

Historical evidence of the 'Barrier Effect'

Using maps and historical data, Prof. Bektaş argued that these deep underwater pits have repeatedly stopped earthquake ruptures from propagating further. He pointed to three specific historical examples where this phenomenon allegedly protected the region from greater destruction:

• 1912 Mürefte Earthquake (Magnitude 7.4): The rupture's eastward progression toward Istanbul was blocked by the Central Marmara Pit.

• 1999 Izmit Earthquake (Magnitude 7.4): The westward expansion of the fault was halted by the Çınarcık Pit.

  
  

• April 23, 2025 Silivri Earthquake (Magnitude 6.2): The movement toward Istanbul was limited by the Kumburgaz Pit.

"This situation is not a coincidence," Bektaş stated, questioning if the geological characteristics of these depressions create a natural protective shield.

How the energy absorption works

According to Bektaş, the mechanism behind this barrier effect lies in the specific physical properties of the earth's crust within these depressions. In these deep zones, the crust is thinner, and the magma temperature is closer to the surface, causing the rocks to behave differently than in other areas.

Bektaş explained that the high heat causes the rocks to become "ductile" (flexible) rather than "brittle." Furthermore, these pits are rich in high-pressure fluids and gases.

"These fluids lubricate the fault zones, preventing them from locking up," Bektaş noted. Instead of building up pressure until a violent break occurs, the faults in these areas undergo what is known as "creep"—a slow, silent sliding movement. As a result, seismic energy is dampened and transferred to rear segments, causing the Main Marmara Fault to fracture in pieces rather than as a whole.

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