Tsunami statement from General Manager of Earthquake and Risk Reduction Prof. Dr. Tatar: 'A destructive effect'

A Regional Coordination Meeting regarding potential risks was held under the coordination of the Muğla Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). Following this, General Director of Earthquake and Risk Reduction Prof. Dr. Orhan Tatar, General Director of Disaster Response Dr. Sadi Ergin, Bodrum District Governor Mustafa Çit, and expert academics conducted inspections in Bodrum's Turgutreis neighborhood. The delegation made detailed assessments using maps and observed the situation in the region on-site. Following the inspections, statements were made regarding potential earthquake, tsunami, and volcanic eruption risks.

OVER TWO THOUSAND EARTHQUAKES

AFAD General Director of Earthquake Risk Reduction Prof. Dr. Orhan Tatar stated that there has been intense seismic activity in the region for the past 10-15 days, saying, "To date, approximately 2,000 earthquakes have been recorded. Five of these were above magnitude 5, with the largest measured at 5.2. A meeting was held last week with the participation of scientists under the coordination of AFAD. The risks were discussed, and it was decided to hold coordination meetings," he said.

"WE CAN SAY IT WILL NOT CREATE A DESTRUCTIVE EFFECT"

Addressing the possibility of a volcanic eruption and the risk of a tsunami, Tatar said, "As a result of the modeling carried out by our professor Ahmet Cevdet Yalçıner and his team, the time for waves to reach our shores in the event of a tsunami has been determined to be at least 1 hour. We can say that these waves will not create a destructive effect on our coasts. As AFAD, we continue our efforts to inform our citizens and raise awareness. There is no need to panic; all units of our state are taking the necessary precautions. Misinformation circulating on social media should not be trusted; only official sources should be followed," he said.

Tatar stated that the coordination meetings would continue in Aydın and that they would then move on to Didim. Regarding the tsunami warning system, Tatar said, "The institution that issues the tsunami warning is the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute. After receiving the initial information, AFAD will inform citizens and local governments via text message, the call-to-prayer system, mobile sirens, and, if necessary, vibrating messages through the Disaster Management and Decision Support System (AYDES)," he stated.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevdet Yalçıner made assessments regarding the possibility of a tsunami, stating, "We know from past events that the same situations can recur in the future. However, we do not expect any loss of life. A tsunami could occur due to an earthquake, but it will not have a destructive effect as its power will decrease by the time it reaches the Turkish coast. The time for a tsunami to reach the shore is approximately 1 hour. Moving away from the coast during this time will be sufficient. Warnings will be issued in a timely manner; it will not be a sudden event," he said.

"NO RISK OF VOLCANIC ERUPTION"

Prof. Dr. Levent Gülen drew attention to the ongoing seismic activity in the region, saying, "Earthquake activity has been continuing since January 25. The magma rising beneath the Earth's crust is at a depth of 7 to 12 kilometers. It needs to travel another 7 kilometers to reach the surface. There is currently no risk of a volcanic eruption. However, if this activity reaches a depth of 2-3 kilometers, then we could speak of a volcanic eruption," he stated.

Emphasizing that the island of Santorini is more than 140 kilometers away from the Turkish coast, Gülen said, "Since there will be dilution during the transport of volcanic gases, it will not pose any danger to the Turkish coast. A situation similar to the deaths that occurred in the past in Santorini is not expected. The analyses of the gases emitted are carried out regularly, and it has been determined that they largely contain carbon dioxide. AFAD and relevant institutions are monitoring the process 24/7; there is no need for our citizens to panic," he said.