Warning after Kütahya earthquake: The danger is expanding

Following the 4.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Kütahya in the morning hours, renowned earthquake professor Prof. Dr. Osman Bektaş explained the seismic activity and accumulated tension in the region on his social media account. Bektaş announced that as a result of the long-standing earthquake swarm in Kütahya, the Uşak Block has become a "macro earthquake cluster."

Stating that the increasing seismicity in the region is a result of seismic activity that has been ongoing since 1969, Bektaş pointed out that the danger zone continues to expand.

Bektaş noted that after the 5.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred 5 days ago, today's 4.1 magnitude aftershock led to tension accumulation in the Uşak Block. Expressing that the Uşak Block threatens surrounding provinces, especially Kütahya, Bektaş emphasized that other settlements in the region are also at risk, stating, "Similar seismicity has shifted toward Kütahya."

As Prof. Dr. Naci Görür had previously drawn attention to the increasing earthquake activity in this region, he described the earthquakes occurring in the area as "abnormal," saying, "It is no longer normal."

Underlining that the Uşak Block, bounded by the Simav and Gediz faults, has formed a macro earthquake cluster between 1969 and 2025, Bektaş explained that the activity on this fault line is one of the most deformed regions in the Aegean region. Bektaş stated that the constantly increasing seismic activities in the region could lead to a major disaster.

EARTHQUAKES FELT IN ISTANBUL TOO

Following the recent 5.0 magnitude Marmara earthquake, the 4.1 magnitude earthquake centered in Kütahya was felt even in Istanbul. The fact that the earthquake was felt even in Istanbul revealed the dimensions of the danger in the region. Osman Bektaş pointed out that such activities are shifting from the Uşak Block toward Kütahya and said that one must be prepared for a major earthquake that may occur in the region.

Bektaş stated that the increase in earthquakes in the region stems from the tension on the Simav and Gediz fault lines, saying, "The tension in this region, which is one of the most deformed fault lines in the Aegean, could trigger larger earthquakes."

Prof. Dr. Naci Görür, in his previous statements regarding the "abnormal" earthquakes occurring around Sındırgı, had stated that the fault fractures and planes located here pose a great danger. In his warnings regarding the increasing activity in this region, Görür stated, "This place is intersected by numerous NE-SW grabens. There are also faults capable of producing earthquakes," indicating that larger seismic activities could be experienced in the future.