Earthquake drill was held: Statement on Mersin from Ahmet Ercan

The magnitude 7 earthquake scenario drill held in Mersin on September 12 raised the question among city residents: "Will there be an earthquake in Mersin?" Responding to this question, geophysicist Prof. Dr. Övgün Ahmet Ercan stated that a major earthquake is not expected in the city.

URBAN TRANSFORMATION WARNING 

In a statement made on his X (Twitter) account, Prof. Dr. Ercan pointed out that Mersin is a large city with haphazard construction on loose soil.

Emphasizing that these structures, which are sensitive to tremors, also face liquefaction issues, Ercan said, "Houses should not be sold or rented without a ground-structure safety certificate for earthquakes. Urban transformation is urgently needed."

Although a major earthquake centered in Mersin is not expected, surrounding faults could shake Mersin with a destructive power of Mercalli VI. Structural swaying, sinking, and collapse are expected. Detailed (microzonation) studies must be conducted immediately. pic.twitter.com/6Nx0bd1MDx

— Prof. Dr. Övgün Ahmet Ercan (@ovgunaercan) September 24, 2024

DANGER OF SURROUNDING FAULTS

Stating that while a major earthquake centered in Mersin is not expected, surrounding faults could shake the city with a destructive power at the Mercalli VI level, Ercan said that structures could suffer serious damage in such a tremor.

He warned that structures could face dangers such as swaying, sinking, and collapse. He also drew attention to the importance of conducting "microzonation," or detailed soil studies, in the city.

WHAT IS THE MERCALLI INTENSITY SCALE?

The Mercalli intensity scale mentioned by Prof. Dr. Ercan is used to measure the effects of an earthquake on the earth's surface and structures.

According to this scale, which is graded between I and XII, level I is not felt, while XII means total destruction. The Mercalli VI intensity expected for Mersin is considered a moderate level of destructive power.