Worrying words from Şükrü Ersoy regarding a possible Marmara earthquake! 'An activity that is not innocent has begun...'

The 5.1 and 4.5 magnitude earthquakes that occurred consecutively in Gemlik, Bursa, have brought the possible Marmara earthquake back to the agenda.

Following the recent earthquakes, Yıldız Technical University Lecturer and Earthquake Expert Şükrü Ersoy made important assessments during a live broadcast on CNN Türk.

Stating that 100 percent of Turkey is an earthquake zone, Ersoy said, "Instead of fleeing and migrating, staying in safe buildings and cities where we are is the most positive approach."

“IT IS MORE ACCURATE TO SAY IT IS APPROACHING…”

Here are the highlights from Ersoy's assessments:

"We cannot predict the date of an earthquake in advance. So how do we say it? A period can be estimated by taking past earthquakes into account. There was a twin earthquake in the Marmara Sea in 1766. Since then, it can be said that the 250-year period has been completed and the earthquake is very close. While we cannot give a date, it will not be a very long period. It is accurate to say it is approaching.

On one hand, we need to make our preparations. We have discussed in great detail why the potential in Istanbul and the Marmara region is dangerous. In terms of population, in terms of the vulnerability of the building stock, many things can be added to this. Moreover, considering that a significant portion of the national budget comes from here, the Marmara earthquake is a very important earthquake that we are expecting.

(Kahramanmaraş Earthquake) First of all, aftershocks are continuing. The number of aftershocks is also high. For example, there was an earthquake above 5 around Malatya. All the people went out into the streets. These aftershocks will occur. From time to time, the magnitudes of the aftershocks can even go up to 5 or 6. Earthquake activity is not limited to just this area; it has spread to every part of Turkey.”

“IT IS NOT VERY INNOCENT…”

“We are expecting the major Marmara earthquake on the northern branch, we are always talking about this, but an earthquake activity has begun in the South. Let us say that the South is not very innocent either. We had given examples on this branch as well. There was the 1953 Yenice-Gönen earthquake. There was the 1964 Manyas earthquake. We had shown earthquakes like the 1967 Adapazarı earthquake as examples.

(Konya) Of course, it is relatively good, but no part of Turkey is innocent. That is why I say that 100 percent of Turkey is an earthquake zone; for this reason, instead of fleeing and migrating, staying in safe buildings and cities where we are is the most positive approach.”

WHICH REGIONS IN ISTANBUL WILL BE AFFECTED THE MOST?

“The parts that will be affected the most are the coastal areas. Look, the bays extending to the Küçükçekmece and Büyükçekmece inlets on both the Anatolian and European sides will be affected more. It will decrease as you go inland. In the far north, this effect will decrease towards the areas where Sarıyer, the north of Eyüp, the north of Arnavutköy, and Çatalca are located.”