Prof. Dr. Naci Görür identifies 'the most dangerous fault line'

Istanbul Technical University faculty member and earth scientist Prof. Dr. Naci Görür stated that a structure should not be considered separately from the ground, saying, "Do not think of the foundation you will build independently of that ground, the geology, the geophysics, and the parameters there. It is not enough to just say we will strengthen the construction and make it solid without considering these parameters. The fact that the ground under a building is rocky does not mean it is safe."

At the "Earthquake-Resilient Cities Workshop" hosted by Fırat University at the Atatürk Cultural Center, topics such as earthquakes that have occurred in Turkey, precautions to be taken before an earthquake, and efforts to make cities earthquake-resilient were discussed.

Speaking at the workshop, Prof. Dr. Naci Görür said that an earthquake law should be enacted.

"THIS FAULT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS FAULT IN THE WORLD"

Stating that Elazığ and its surroundings are particularly surrounded by fault lines, Görür noted the following:

"The North Anatolian Fault passes through Karlıova, and this fault is the most dangerous fault in the world. There is also the East Anatolian Fault, from Karlıova towards Malatya and Hatay. Recent earthquakes occurred, and tens of thousands of our people died. There is also the Malatya fault, west of Malatya. And we have the Ovacık fault going from Pülümür. All of these are active faults. Do not think that an earthquake will happen every day like this. The East Anatolian Fault, which hit Elazığ and Malatya from Bingöl, produces very serious earthquakes approximately every 500 years. That is, it moves 1 centimeter per year.

You do not feel that one-centimeter movement. Anatolia is moving westward towards the Mediterranean by one centimeter per year. We do not feel it, but these are accumulating stress there. Nature has no concept of time. For us, for example, 1,000 years is a very long time, but for nature, it is not even a millisecond. Now, if this fault produces an earthquake every 500 years or so, it means that the earthquakes we have recently experienced are the result of stress that had accumulated in this region for a very long time being released for certain reasons."

"THE FACT THAT THE GROUND UNDER A BUILDING IS ROCKY DOES NOT MEAN IT IS SAFE"

Görür stated that it is very important for local governments and universities, especially in provinces where fault lines pass, to conduct serious research in the fault zone, to present fault analysis and earthquake analysis, and to make the necessary plans to protect against earthquakes.

Pointing out that infrastructure must also be suitable for earthquakes, Görür said, "Do not separate the structure from the ground; do not think of the foundation you will build independently of that ground, the geology, the geophysics, and the parameters there. It is not enough to just say we will strengthen the construction and make it solid without considering these parameters. The fact that the ground under a building is rocky does not mean it is safe."

Görür added that the public should also show sensitivity regarding earthquakes, and that the state, local governments, and the public should act together to create earthquake-resilient settlement areas.

Prof. Dr. Roger Bilham from the University of Colorado Boulder, Prof. Dr. Alper İlki from Istanbul Technical University, Prof. Dr. Kürşat Esat Alyamaç from Fırat University, and Prof. Dr. Erdem Canbay from Middle East Technical University also gave speeches at the workshop.