Şener Üşümezsoy warns about that fault line: 'It has the potential to produce a 6.5 magnitude earthquake'

Earthquake expert Prof. Dr. Şener Üşümezsoy made striking assessments regarding the fault lines in the region at a conference held in the Gediz district of Kütahya on the anniversary of the 1970 Gediz earthquake. In the program, which saw high participation from citizens, the Simav fault and the seismic activity in its vicinity were particularly highlighted.

CRITICAL WARNING FOR THE SİMAV FAULT

Addressing the status of the faults in and around Kütahya, Üşümezsoy stated that the Simav fault has not yet released all of its energy. Emphasizing that the earthquake that occurred in 2011 did not complete the process, Üşümezsoy said, "That 5.9 magnitude earthquake did not end the process. If the fault, which is approximately 25-30 kilometers long, breaks in a single segment, it has the potential to produce a 6.5 magnitude earthquake. The fact that Simav is built on this fault increases the risk."

"EARTHQUAKE STORM" AND THE EFFECT OF HOT SPRINGS

Touching upon the frequent tremors around Emet and Yeşildere, Üşümezsoy described this situation as an "earthquake storm." Expressing that the hot springs in the region could be effective on fault movements, Üşümezsoy conveyed that rather than a single large earthquake, numerous small ruptures are observed here.

RISK LINE: SİMAV, SINDIRGI, GEDİZ

Comparing the earthquake activity to "piano keys," Üşümezsoy said that the risk is concentrated on specific lines. Drawing attention to the Simav, Sındırgı, and Gediz line, Üşümezsoy stated that the Kütahya city center carries a relatively lower risk due to its location.

Stating that Gediz released a significant portion of its energy with the major earthquake that occurred in 1970, Üşümezsoy added that the fragmented structure of the faults in Sındırgı plays a limiting role for large earthquakes.

1970 GEDİZ EARTHQUAKE NOT FORGOTTEN

At the end of the conference, Gediz Mayor Necdet Akel thanked Üşümezsoy for his contributions and presented him with a gift in memory of the day.

In the earthquake that occurred in Gediz on March 28, 1970, which was measured at 7.2 magnitude, 1,086 people lost their lives and 1,260 people were injured. Following the earthquake, the district center was moved to a different area.

News Source: İHA