Naci Görür does the math and issues another warning specifically for Istanbul

A panel titled 'Earthquake and Urban Transformation in Istanbul' was organized by the Istanbul Contractors and Business People Association (İMİDER) in Eyüpsultan.

The panel, held at the Eyüpsultan Culture Center, was attended by Science Academy Member, Earth Scientist and Earthquake Expert Prof. Dr. Naci Görür, Eyüpsultan Mayor Dr. Mithat Bülent Özmen, Kiptaş General Manager Ali Kurt, political party representatives, council members, representatives of non-governmental organizations, neighborhood heads (muhtars), site managers within the scope of urban transformation, and representatives of the construction sector.

Following a slide presentation on earthquakes, Civil Engineer Mahir Polat, Kiptaş General Manager Ali Kurt, and Eyüpsultan Mayor Dr. Mithat Bülent Özmen gave presentations at the panel.

Prof. Dr. Naci Görür provided information to the participants regarding the expected Istanbul earthquake.

NACİ GÖRÜR CALCULATED BASED ON EARTHQUAKE OCCURRENCE DATES

Stating that he anticipates a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in the Marmara Region, Prof. Dr. Naci Görür said, "The fault system in the Sea of Marmara is the northern branch of the 160-kilometer-long North Anatolian line. It is still inside the sea. The last earthquake date for this fault in the Sea of Marmara is August and May 1766. In fact, May 22 is the anniversary of the earthquake tomorrow. It killed thousands of people back then.

Istanbul experienced 2 earthquakes over magnitude 7 in 1766. It is currently the year 2024. This fault system sees an earthquake every 250 years. In other words, energy accumulates over 250 years and causes an earthquake. It relaxes and happens again 250 years later. Add 250 to the year 1766, and it makes 2016.

That is why we are shouting, 'Prepare Istanbul for an earthquake.' We are saying, 'Pay attention to the Marmara Region and Istanbul.' If the fault line breaks, there will be an earthquake reaching a magnitude of 7.5. My concern is that we should create earthquake-resistant residential areas. The earthquake mechanism in this country started 13.6 million years ago. Earthquakes have been happening in these lands for 13.6 million years," he stated.

Prof. Dr. Naci Görür said, "We need to pay attention to the southern areas of Eyüpsultan. For us, our soft underbelly is the southern part of Eyüpsultan. Mayors in an earthquake city must know about earthquakes to a certain extent.

Disaster management, disaster affairs, and earthquakes. The Marmara Region provides nearly 60 percent of Turkey's economy, that is, its gross national product. The wheels of the economy must turn when they are needed most so that we can easily overcome the damage inflicted upon us," he said.

"LET'S BUILD EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT RESIDENTIAL AREAS"

Stating that Turkey must accept that it is an earthquake country and that earthquake-resistant residential areas must be built, Görür said, "Faults produce earthquakes.

Conducting fault research is very good. We have our universities; let them research. There is no need to discuss it in front of the public. We worked in the mountains for 40 years. Let them work, find the faults, write, draw, and publish them in international journals. Let them discuss this on international scientific platforms. 

If necessary, let them provide information to state officials. We have one concern. It is this; the Republic of Turkey is facing a network of faults. Almost every part of Turkey is covered with active faults. Today, if not today, tomorrow, if not tomorrow, the next day, a major earthquake is bound to happen.

I say; let's leave the faults and the earthquake aside. Let's make an admission. Let's say, 'My country is an earthquake country.' Since that is the case, let's build earthquake-resistant residential areas. Let's solve this issue at the root. This is the subject that needs to be discussed," he said.

News Source: İHA