Aegean shaken by a magnitude 6 earthquake in the morning! Frightening statement from an expert
The magnitude 6 earthquake that occurred off the coast of Crete in the Aegean Sea was felt along Turkey's western coast, particularly in İzmir and Muğla. While there were no reports of loss of life or property according to initial assessments, experts warned about the risk of an 8.5 magnitude earthquake and a tsunami in the region.
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A 6.0 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Greece's Crete Island, at around 06:19 this morning.
The epicenter of the earthquake was recorded at a depth of 17.7 kilometers below the sea surface.
EARTHQUAKE FELT IN MANY PROVINCES
The tremor was felt in many western provinces, primarily İzmir, Muğla, Aydın, Denizli, and Antalya. The effects of the earthquake were also recorded in Libya and Cyprus. İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban announced that there have been no negative reports in the city so far.
STATEMENT FROM EXPERT
Making statements following the earthquake, Geology Expert Prof. Dr. Süleyman Pampal emphasized that the region is an area where both volcanic and seismic activities are intense. Pampal said, "This is the region north of Crete where an earthquake swarm occurred in the autumn. Similar tremors were also experienced in 2011."
"8.5 MAGNITUDE..."
Prof. Dr. Pampal stated that the main danger lies on the Hellenic Arc south of Crete.
"Earthquakes of 8 to 8.5 magnitude can occur in this region. It may not cause major damage on the Turkish coast, but the tsunami danger is serious," he said.
Pointing out that subduction movements occurring at the plate boundary could lead to a tsunami, Pampal warned, "Such earthquakes are not only destructive, but can also cause a tsunami as a secondary effect."
Emphasizing that this latest earthquake is unlikely to trigger an 8.0 magnitude tremor, Pampal stated that it is part of the Santorini earthquake swarm. However, he underscored the need to be prepared for major earthquakes expected in the future.
Reminding that Turkey lacks experience with tsunamis, Pampal said, "Authorities must raise public awareness on this issue. Past major earthquakes have left traces, especially on the coasts of Muğla, Antalya, and İzmir."