Morphological Mimicry in Loess-Mantled Terrains: Re-Evaluating the Quaternary Activity of the Devene Fault
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The Devene fault system, a major strike-slip structure at the boundary between the Balkan Range and the Moesian Platform in NW Bulgaria, remains a subject of debate regarding its Quaternary activity. This study investigates the shallow expression of the fault at two representative sites, Tri Kladentsi and Beli Breg, using high-resolution electrical resistivity profiling to differentiate tectonic deformation from climatically driven landscape evolution. At Tri Kladentsi, resistivity profiles confirm a steeply dipping structural boundary within the Miocene bedrock, juxtaposing limestone against sands. The overlying 25 m thick loess cover, however, remains sub-horizontal and undisturbed. Likewise, at Beli Breg, the complex architecture of stacked channel sequences and tributary deposits at the Ogosta River confluence reveals no identifiable fault displacement. Our results suggest a high degree of morphological mimicry, where asymmetric river valleys produced by selective erosion and differential loess accumulation superficially converge with tectonic signatures. The long-term left-lateral slip rate is estimated at 0.14–0.19 mm/yr based on a 20 km Miocene offset. Nevertheless, the lack of modern surface rupture indicates a deceleration of fault slip rate and a transition to a buried fault top during the Quaternary. These findings necessitate a re-evaluation of regional seismic hazard assessments, because the absence of continuous surface traces physically constrains the maximum earthquake potential.
Source: Geosciences
Authors: Alexander Radulov, Yordanka Donkova, Nikolay Nikolov, Marlena Yaneva, Konstantin Kostov, Ivan Alexiev
Institution: Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Geophysics
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,172
OpenAlex ID: W7160020518