Earthquake in Balıkesir released energy equivalent to an atomic bomb

The 6.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred last night in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir was also felt in surrounding provinces such as İzmir, Istanbul, and Bursa. Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya announced that the intensity of the earthquake at its epicenter was determined to be 8. Following the earthquake, residents anxiously poured into the streets, though rainy weather conditions also caused concern.

Prof. Dr. Okan Tüysüz stated that the energy released by the earthquake was equivalent to the explosion of 20 thousand tons of dynamite, releasing nearly as much energy as an atomic bomb. Tüysüz said, "It is natural for an earthquake of this magnitude to be felt over a wide area." He also expressed that no other major earthquake is expected following this one.

AFTERSHOCK AND EARTHQUAKE STORM RISK

Director of the Dokuz Eylül University Earthquake Research and Application Center, Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir, warned that aftershocks reaching a magnitude of 5 and an earthquake storm could occur following the quake. Sözbilir stated, "New faults identified after the August 10 earthquake may have been triggered. Since these faults contain geothermal fluids, aftershocks and storms can be expected."

In Sındırgı, over 20 thousand aftershocks had been recorded following the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that previously occurred on August 10. Experts state that seismic activity in the region may continue.