Second major rift discovered beneath Turkey! Will an ocean form in Anatolia?

Turkey faces significant geological risks due to its location at the intersection of the Eurasian, African, Arabian, and Anatolian plates. This strategic position leaves the country in a sensitive spot regarding both major earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Recent research has revealed the existence of a major rift extending from southeastern Turkey to northwestern Iran. An international research team from the University of Göttingen announced that this fracture dates back approximately 30 million years and could grow over time, significantly altering the region's geological structure.

AFRICAN PLATE SPLITTING: IS A NEW OCEAN FORMING?

Scientists state that the African Plate is gradually splitting in two and that a new ocean could form at the end of this process. A similar process, previously observed in the East African Rift, may now be occurring in southern Turkey.

The newly discovered rift extending to Iran could expand over time, leading to the shrinking of the Mediterranean and changes to the coastline in the region. Experts predict that these geological changes will take millions of years, but their long-term effects could completely transform Turkey's geographical structure.

PROF. DR. MURAT UTKUCU: PLATES ARE BORN, GROW, AND DIE

Prof. Dr. Murat Utkucu, a faculty member in the Department of Geophysical Engineering at Sakarya University's Disaster Management Application and Research Center, evaluated this process with the following words:

“The African and Arabian plates separated 30 million years ago through rifting, and the Arabian Plate was formed. The development of the oceanic plate formed after the rifting continues. About 20 million years ago, the waters of the Indian Ocean filled this depression, and the Red Sea was formed.”

“The movements of plates last about 200 million years. Later, these oceanic plates dive into the mantle layer and disappear. Just like living things, plates are born, grow, and die.”

EARTHQUAKES AND VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS: TURKEY'S FUTURE AT RISK

Geologists state that Turkey's volcanic regions could also be directly affected by this process. The possibility of the Erciyes, Hasan Mountain, and Melendiz volcanoes becoming active again in the future is being emphasized.

The volcanic eruption that occurred in the Afar Desert in Ethiopia in 2005 demonstrated how tectonic movements accelerate continental separation. Experts point out that the rift in southern Turkey could trigger a similar process.

TURKEY'S FUTURE: POSSIBLE SCENARIOS

• The process of the Mediterranean closing will continue.
• The westward movement of the Anatolian Plate will increase earthquake risks.
• As the newly discovered rift grows, southern Turkey could turn into an oceanic coastline in the long term.
• Volcanic activities could radically change the geological structure of the region.

Scientists state that these geological changes could completely transform Turkey's natural structure in the long term. However, it is noted that the process will take millions of years to complete.

News Source: 12punto