Renewed Fear After 5.1 Earthquake
A string of earthquakes recently hit Turkey, specifically in the region of Marmara. Turkey is still reeling from a previous earthquake on February 6th in Kahramanmaraş, when on February 7th, two earthquakes measuring 5.1 and 4.5 in magnitude struck the South Marmara Fault region. These tremors were largely felt in the surrounding areas, mostly Bursa and Istanbul. Luckily, there were no casualties, and only 14 people sustained injuries due to panic.
The earthquake notification system for Android users in Turkey sent a notification of the 5.1 magnitude earthquake 10 seconds before it occurred, proving the effectiveness of such a system in alerting citizens. An earthquake expert stated that these earthquakes do not necessarily indicate a precursor to a major Marmara earthquake as initially feared. It was clarified that the earthquakes were separate seismic events and not part of the expected major earthquake.
In the aftermath of the quakes, buildings around the region have shown signs of damage, highlighting the need for urban transformation and construction of earthquake-resistant buildings, moving forward. Despite the panic caused by these tremors, experts believe there is no immediate cause for concern following the series of aftershocks. However, the need to move the high-risk area of Gemlik may be given further consideration as a result of these earthquakes.
The people of Turkey are now urged to remain calm and vigilant as they navigate this unpredictable period of seismic activities in their region. With proper preparation, education and awareness, they can mitigate the potential hazards of future earthquakes.
