Investigation of the western section of the İnce Burun Mountains (Hani-Diyarbakır) in terms of karst geomorphology

İnce Burun Mountains are located in the central part of the Southeastern Taurus Mountains, at the intersection of the Diyarbakır-Elazığ-Bingöl borders, north of Hani district. The research area, located just south of the Bitlis Zagros suture zone, is tectonically located on the margin fold zone. The research area, which forms the western part of İnce Burun Mountains (Hani-Diyarbakır), is located within the Southeastern Anatolian Karst Region (GDK) and the Eastern Anatolian Fold Belt Area (EAKK) according to the Turkish Karst Regions classification. In this study, it was aimed to determine karst processes and karst shapes in the western part of İnce Burun Mountains. In field studies carried out at various times, the factors affecting karstification in the region were determined and the karst shapes present in the field were revealed. Lithology, tectonism, climate, vegetation, soil and time factors have varying effects on karstification in the research area. The effects of tectonism, fluvial and karst processes played a major role in the current geomorphological appearance of the research area, which was heavily influenced by the ground movements of the neotectonic period. While the important mountainous masses in the area correspond to antiquarians or thrusts, macro karst shapes have developed within syncline areas. While tectonic structures in the region determine the size and direction of karstification on the surface, they also enable karstification to go deeper. In the research area, karstic dissolution forms are lapyas, ruin relief, sinkholes, caves, dolines, uvalas, poljes, canyon valleys, karstic springs and accumulation forms are travertine, stalactites-stalactites, limestone crust-caliche, terra-rossa and terra-fusca and karstic ebuli. . Understanding the natural processes in any region is efficient for correct planning of the natural potential of that region. In this respect, it is thought that this study will make a significant contribution to the studies on determining the natural environment potential of Hani district in general and İnce Burun Mountains and its surroundings in particular.