Statement from Ahmet Ercan to reassure Istanbul residents! 'At least... for the major earthquake'

The 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Silivri in the Sea of Marmara on April 23 affected the entire Marmara Region.

Due to the earthquake, which caused great panic, citizens who felt the tremors, especially in Istanbul, poured into the streets.

While aftershocks continued following the 6.2 magnitude earthquake, a 4.3 magnitude aftershock with its epicenter in Büyükçekmece on Friday also caused concern.

Stating that he would continue to monitor developments until the morning following the earthquake, Prof. Dr. Ercan had stated, "The recent M6.2 earthquake showed that the northern Marmara does not consist of a single-piece fault. Therefore, it is understood that M7.5-M8.0 earthquake magnitudes contain scientific inconsistency. The final point reached is that there will be a rupture with two earthquakes, namely the Thrace and Istanbul branches, which I have been emphasizing since 1999. The largest expected earthquake is M7.0-M7.2. Since the last earthquake shortened the fault length by 28 km, it has dropped to M6.9-M7.1 on the Thrace branch, and two earthquakes between M6.4-M6.7 on the Istanbul branch."

Drawing attention once again to the two-part rupture scenario he has been voicing for a long time, Prof. Dr. Ercan emphasized that the Marmara could be affected not by a single large earthquake, but by two separate tremors. He had also added that the recent earthquake had slightly reduced the intensity of potential tremors.

"MARMARA IS NOT UNDER GREAT EARTHQUAKE TENSION"

On the other hand, Prof. Dr. Ercan had said that the Marmara region is currently not under the tension that would trigger a major earthquake. Ercan emphasized that the stress level in the region is below the critical threshold with the words, "Will there be major earthquakes in Gemlik, Mudanya, Bandırma, Erdek, Biga in the Sea of Marmara? According to the deformation maps produced using Geophysics and Space-based positioning measurements, the Sea of Marmara is not under the tension to create an earthquake in both the north and the south."

Stating that there is no need for the public around the Sea of Marmara to be anxious, Ercan had indicated that current data shows a major tremor is not expected in the near future.

"THE MARCH TOWARDS ISTANBUL HAS STOPPED, WE ARE SAFE FOR AT LEAST 20 YEARS"

Prof. Dr. Ercan made a statement this morning (April 27) that will allow those living in Istanbul to breathe a sigh of relief.

Saying, "The effect of the M6.2 earthquake is over. The march towards the east, towards Istanbul, has stopped," Ercan said, "There are at least 20 to 50 years left" for the expected major earthquake to occur.