Critical assessment from Ahmet Ercan following the earthquake in Malatya: Will there be a larger earthquake?

The 5.6-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Battalgazi district in the morning hours was felt in Malatya as well as many surrounding provinces. Following the tremor, citizens experienced great anxiety, and statements were issued by expert figures.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ercan made the following assessments regarding the question on the agenda following the earthquake, "Will there be a larger earthquake?":

"The M5.6 earthquake that occurred in Malatya today is an aftershock of the four earthquakes that corresponded to a total magnitude eight stress release on February 6, 2023. Geophysically, there is no possibility of answering the question, 'Could there be a larger earthquake in the coming days?' However, as a seismologist of 55 years, I have no such expectation. An M5.6 earthquake does not cause destruction in reinforced concrete structures in the region. However, it may cause wall cracks in stone village houses, chimney collapses, and cracks in minarets.

It is very normal for this earthquake to have been felt in nearby provinces such as Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Urfa, Hatay, Adana, Osmaniye, Elazığ, and Tunceli. This is because seismic waves spread like the ripples of a stone thrown into a pool until their energy is exhausted underground. The fact that your houses shook does not mean they will collapse. For a house to collapse, the wave passing through the ground must be in harmony with the oscillation of the structure, causing it to shake violently.

Although Turkey's earthquake regulations are very good, the main reason why precautions cannot be taken against earthquakes is that 84% of the public is struggling with the cost of living and the country's economy is not in a good state. Countries whose economies are not well-managed have no possibility of reducing earthquake damage."

News Source: 12punto