First comments from experts following the earthquake felt in the Marmara Region: Be prepared

Earthquake expert Prof. Dr. Şener Üşümezsoy stated that the earthquake did not occur off the coast of Tekirdağ, but on the western edge of the Silivri Basin, adding, “This is half of the scenario I mentioned previously on April 23.”

Üşümezsoy recalled that during the 6.2 magnitude Kumburgaz earthquake on April 23, only a portion of the fault ruptured, and the 10–15 km segment remaining within the Silivri Basin has not yet ruptured: “Half of the April 23 earthquake has occurred, while the other half has not yet happened.” Stating that aftershocks in the region may continue, Üşümezsoy expressed that there is a potential for a 6.2 magnitude earthquake within the Silivri Basin, and that he is referring to a second branch in the Silivri Basin, not a fault moving toward Istanbul.

He also reiterated his assessment: “It is not a major earthquake for Istanbul; there is a 6.2 potential within the Silivri Basin.”

Prof. Dr. Okan Tüysüz stated that there has been an increase in activity on faults in Anatolia following the February 6 earthquakes, noting, “There is no increase in activity in Istanbul. There are 550 faults in Turkey. Some of these are active. A large number of earthquakes occur. However, there is a physical increase across all of Anatolia after February 6. We cannot tell anyone to enter or leave their homes. We will continue to live with earthquakes. Let us wait a little; one or two more aftershocks may develop. Then we will know that this is the main shock earthquake.” Tüysüz issued the warning, “If there is any cracking in buildings, AFAD should be contacted.”

Prof. Dr. Şükrü Ersoy expressed that the earthquake was felt over a wide area because it was close to the city, saying, “These are normal earthquakes; it would be ambitious to say that a major earthquake will follow this.” Ersoy drew attention to the importance of monitoring aftershocks and emphasized that it is not accurate to say that it “takes the energy” for the expected major earthquake in the Marmara region.

NACİ GÖRÜR: BE PREPARED SOONER OR LATER

Earthquake scientist Prof. Dr. Naci Görür, in a statement on his social media account, emphasized that the fault in the Marmara region is active on the northern branch of the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) and called for Istanbul to be prepared for a possible major earthquake:

“A 4.0 (or 5.0) earthquake occurred in the Marmara region. Friends, this fault is active and is the northern branch of the NAF. A major earthquake can happen at any moment. It has been happening for 14 million years, and it will continue to happen. If you are asking in terms of the expected Marmara earthquake, unfortunately, it will happen. Be prepared sooner or later and prepare Istanbul for an earthquake.”

News Source: 12punto