Naci Görür issues 'period has expired' warning for Istanbul: 'Pray all you want'

Emphasizing that the North Anatolian Fault produces a major earthquake approximately every 250 years, Görür said, "The last major earthquake occurred in 1766. When you add 250 years, you arrive at the year 2016. In other words, the time for the Marmara to produce an earthquake has expired. Pray all you want, you cannot stop this mechanism. Earthquakes occur according to the immutable laws of nature."

WARNING FOR THE EUROPEAN SIDE

"The intensity of this destruction will be seen most on the European side. Of course, the earthquake intensity will also be high in certain places on the Asian side. Let's state that. In other words, it is certain that we will face an earthquake of approximately magnitude 8 or 9. In a magnitude 9 earthquake, even the safest, most sound buildings will be damaged. Even the healthiest buildings will be damaged. Not being damaged in an earthquake is a very rare situation."

"THEY ENJOY THE VIEW BUT THE RISKS ARE HIGHER"

Touching upon Istanbul's soil map, Görür stated that the European Side, in particular, has young, water-saturated, and weak soils that amplify earthquake waves. Expressing that the soil structure of the Anatolian Side is relatively better, Görür said, "Those living by the sea on the European side enjoy the view, but the acceleration and destruction risks in a possible earthquake are much higher."

Emphasizing that it is not possible to stop an earthquake, but it is possible to prevent loss of life, Görür said the solution is earthquake-resistant cities:

“In Kamchatka, there was not a single loss of life in an earthquake that released 1,500 times the energy of our earthquake. Because the public is responsible and honest, and those who govern act with science. Places like Japan, California, and Taiwan do not lose people in earthquakes. In our country, we bury thousands of our people alive. This is not fate, it is weakness.”

Stating that the biggest obstacle in earthquake preparedness is the polarizing structure of politics and the lack of public demand, Görür called out, “Nothing will change if we do not demand it. We have the power of the vote. Do not vote for a politician who does not promise an earthquake-resistant city.”

Görür stated that municipalities must take action immediately and suggested the establishment of a crisis team consisting of six coordinators. Stating that this team would include coordinators for the public, infrastructure, building stock, ecosystem, and economy, Görür emphasized that these people should work 24/7 in the field, not at a desk.

Expressing that individual measures against earthquake risk are not enough on their own, Görür said, “Measures like the triangle of life and getting under a table are important, but what will protect a country from an earthquake is long-term and science-based urban transformation.”

Prof. Dr. Görür ended his words with this warning:

“An earthquake is life itself. You cannot stop it. But with science and reason, love and solidarity, you can survive it without loss of life. This is a matter of survival that transcends politics. Either we will act with this awareness, or we will all pay the price of the disaster together.”

News Source: 12punto