Alarming statement from expert following Muğla earthquake! 'An 8.5 magnitude earthquake...'

According to data from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), a 6.0 magnitude earthquake occurred last night with its epicenter in the Mediterranean, 155 kilometers away from the Datça district of Muğla. The tremor, which occurred at a depth of 20.41 kilometers, was also felt in surrounding provinces.

"IT WOULD NEVER BE A SURPRISE IF A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE OCCURRED"

Participating in a live broadcast on CNN Türk following the earthquake, Prof. Dr. Süleyman Pampal stated that the tremor experienced in the region was scientifically expected. Pampal said, "This is the boundary of the African-Eurasian plate. In the historical period, there have been 7 very destructive earthquakes in this region. These are major earthquakes reaching 8-8.5. If a major earthquake occurs here, it would never be a surprise; we would not be shocked by it."

Pampal emphasized that the region where the earthquake occurred is not an ordinary fault line, but a subduction zone. “The African plate is subducting beneath the Aegean from here towards the north. This subduction triggers volcanic activity. We experienced the same situation previously around Santorini,” he stated.

TSUNAMI RISK

Prof. Dr. Pampal said that major earthquakes experienced in this region in the past brought not only tremors but also secondary disasters such as tsunamis. He warned, “In the past, there was damage caused by tsunamis on the islands and the coasts of Southwest Anatolia.”

The expert stated that the earthquake zone is located on a wide and dangerous fault line extending from the Hellenic Arc to the Cyprus Arc. “This line passes south of Muğla and extends under Cyprus to Hatay. It is also connected to the East Anatolian Fault, where the February 6 earthquakes occurred,” he said.

"EARTHQUAKES WILL CONTINUE"

Pampal also responded to the question of whether the tremor was a foreshock: “Let’s not call it triggering, but we can think of it as a warning. The answer to the question of whether an earthquake will happen is ‘yes, it will.’ This geography is a plate collision zone; earthquakes are inevitable.”

Emphasizing that the impact of an earthquake depends more on soil characteristics than its magnitude, Pampal said, “The impact of an earthquake is related more to the characteristics of the ground than the distance. Even if it is far away, it can create significant acceleration.” He expressed that coastal regions such as Datça, Bodrum, and Fethiye are under serious risk for this reason.

WARNING FOR THE REGION: BE PREPARED

Finally, addressing the local population, Prof. Dr. Pampal emphasized that preparation for earthquakes is essential: “Destructive earthquakes can occur in this region. Our coasts could suffer serious damage. Therefore, precautions must be taken, and the region must be made earthquake-resistant.”