Kandilli Observatory statement on 6.2 magnitude earthquake! '8 in the sea...'

Boğaziçi University (BÜ) Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute Director Prof. Dr. Nurcan Meral Özel stated regarding the earthquake in Istanbul, "Following this earthquake, there were 2 aftershocks greater than 5. The activity of a 6.1 magnitude earthquake can continue for 1.5-2 months," she said.

Özel held a press conference yesterday at the BÜ Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute Regional Earthquake-Tsunami Monitoring and Evaluation Center following the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Istanbul.

Presenting with visuals consisting of maps and graphs, Özel said that today's earthquake occurred south of the earthquake that took place off the coast of Silivri in 2019, but on the same longitude.

"IT SHOWS THAT ENERGY IS BEING RELEASED"

Stating that there were nearly 100 earthquakes yesterday as far as they could resolve, Özel said, "After the 6.1 magnitude earthquake, there were 2 large aftershocks. These are naturally encouraging, as they show that energy is being released. There were two earthquakes of 5.1 and 5.2. There were also 10 earthquakes greater than 4," she spoke.

Sharing the information that the earthquake occurred exactly between the Central Marmara and Kumburgaz Fault Lines, Özel stated that the earthquakes occurred within a 10-12 kilometer band inside Central Marmara and that they are continuing their monitoring carefully.

Expressing that there are uncertainties regarding the dates and magnitudes of earthquakes that have occurred in the Sea of Marmara in the past, Özel said that this situation weakens predictions about when and at what magnitude an earthquake will occur in the Sea of Marmara.

Özel explained that they are carefully monitoring all movements within the Sea of Marmara and that they also detected sea level rises yesterday.

Reporting that the observatory is trying to develop an early warning system as a pilot for a potential earthquake in Marmara, Özel stated that the system was activated during yesterday's earthquake, and that this situation was encouraging.

INTENSITY OF THE EARTHQUAKE

Özel answered journalists' questions following her presentation.

Upon a journalist reminding her that earthquake experts have differing opinions regarding potential future earthquakes and asking if the expected earthquakes would occur in today's location, Özel replied, "There is the Central Marmara and Kumburgaz segment. Earthquake activity occurred in a 10-12 kilometer region exactly between these two, and it is currently continuing where it occurred. We also know and state that there is stress accumulation on the Kumburgaz and Adalar faults, and the possibility of an earthquake."

Özel explained that the earthquake was sea-centered and its intensity was measured as 8 at sea and 4-5 on land.

Stating that the aftershocks of the 5.9 magnitude earthquake in 2019 lasted about 1.5 months, Özel said, "Following this earthquake, there were 2 aftershocks greater than 5. The activity of a 6.1 magnitude earthquake can continue for 1.5-2 months, but this is an earthquake that occurred at sea. It is debatable how much of this will be felt on the coasts. It may not be very easy to feel these earthquakes on land right now," she said.