Renowned geologist shares his concerns about the earthquake risks in Turkey

Prof. Dr. Naci Görür, a renowned geologist, recently shared his concerns about the earthquake risks in Turkey, highlighting particularly dangerous areas and the possibility of large earthquakes in the near future. He emphasized that Turkey, being an earthquake-prone country, faced significant seismic threats, especially after the recent earthquake in Malatya.

Görür pointed out that the region’s fault system is concerning, especially in light of the 2,500-year-long earthquake cycle that has been completed. He warned that the fault between Karlıova and Erzincan posed a significant risk, and this area could potentially generate an earthquake of magnitude 7 or greater. He stressed the need for immediate studies and interventions on these fault lines.

The earthquake in Malatya, which occurred on the evening of November 26, was a magnitude 4.6 quake. Görür noted that this region’s fault line had not experienced a significant earthquake since around 500 BC. The “worrying” aspect, according to Görür, is that the fault system might be ready to release energy in a major quake.

He also highlighted the transfer of energy from the recent February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, which he believes increased the seismic risk for Malatya and surrounding regions. Görür further explained that certain areas, particularly the Bingöl Karlıova-Göynük and Karlıova-Erzincan regions, were at a high risk of experiencing large earthquakes in the future.

Another of his concerns is the condition of buildings in earthquake-prone areas, pointing out that many constructions do not adhere to proper seismic standards, which increases vulnerability in the event of a large earthquake. He called for urgent actions to improve infrastructure and ensure that construction regulations are strictly followed and enforced.

Additionally, Görür expressed concerns about the safety of several dams in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul. He stated that some of these dams could potentially collapsed in the event of a major earthquake. He also noted that earthquake resilience efforts were insufficient in the country, with many regions not adequately prepared for the seismic risks they face.