Alarming warning for Sındırgı: 'Evacuate the buildings'

Following the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir on August 10, another earthquake of the same magnitude occurred on October 27. These tremors were also felt in surrounding provinces such as İzmir, Istanbul, and Bursa. While some buildings collapsed in both earthquakes, many structures sustained damage.

Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir, Director of the Earthquake Research and Application Center at Dokuz Eylül University, issued significant warnings following his investigations in the region. Sözbilir stated, "Urgent measures must be taken regarding Sındırgı's building stock. Buildings that collapsed or were heavily damaged in the first earthquake had been evacuated. Because of this, there was no loss of life in the second earthquake. The latest earthquake resulted in buildings with moderate and heavy damage. It is in the best interest to evacuate these buildings."

'DEAD FAULTS HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED'

Prof. Dr. Sözbilir noted that faults in the region that had not previously been active are now producing earthquakes. "We have identified the presence of faults in the mountainous region south of Sındırgı that had not moved before. These faults were active millions of years ago but had not moved in the last 10,000 years. We have now observed that these faults are producing earthquakes," he said.

RISK OF NEW EARTHQUAKES

Sözbilir stated that the two major earthquakes in Sındırgı occurred within the same fault zone and that there are segments within this zone capable of producing independent earthquakes. He warned, "Earthquakes of similar magnitude could develop in the near future."

Stating that the geothermal system in the region also affects earthquake activity, Sözbilir said, "When a geothermal system and an active fault are located in the same place, earthquake activity does not end immediately. Therefore, it may continue in the form of an earthquake swarm."

Experts warn that earthquakes of at least magnitude 5 could occur in the future and state that citizens should stay away from damaged buildings.

News Source: 12punto