Kandilli issues Istanbul earthquake warning: 'It will affect 7 provinces, tsunami is possible'

Boğaziçi University Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute Regional Earthquake-Tsunami Monitoring and Evaluation Center Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doğan Kalafat gave a presentation on 'Monitoring of earthquakes in Turkey and earthquake formation patterns' at the 'Earthquake in All Aspects' symposium hosted by Trakya University at the Balkan Congress Center.

Pointing out that Turkey is an earthquake country, Kalafat stated that one must be aware of the earthquake risk and that necessary precautions must be taken.

Kalafat drew attention to the fact that an earthquake occurring in the Sea of Marmara would affect seven surrounding provinces. Warning that tsunamis could occur following the earthquake, Kalafat said, "We must absolutely know that one should not go to the seaside after a major earthquake in the Marmara."

Kalafat stated that the tsunamis expected in the Marmara are caused by landslides.

Explaining that they anticipate the magnitude of the earthquake will be over 7, Kalafat continued his statement as follows:

''There are three depressions at the bottom of the Sea of Marmara, approximately 900-1200 meters deep. There are nearly 15-20 meters of alluvium on top of them. These will shake with the tremors of the earthquake, those landslide masses will flow into the sea, and consequently, a tsunami will form. To protect against this tsunami, one must move away from the coasts instead of watching.''

'AN EARTHQUAKE ABOVE 7 IS CERTAIN'

''Most of those who died in Sendai Bay during the tsunami that occurred after the earthquake in Japan in 2011 were elderly people. 10-meter flood walls had been built there against a tsunami, but the tsunami waves exceeded 32 meters. A 7.5 magnitude earthquake was expected there, but a 9 magnitude earthquake occurred. An earthquake with a magnitude above 7 will occur in Istanbul, this is certain. An average earthquake of 7.2 is expected, there may be certain margins of error. Therefore, we must move away from the shore against a potential tsunami, we need to go to high ground.''