Significance of Konya earthquake: Formation of new fault lines in Turkey?
Konya’s Border District, Kulu, Experiences a 4.2 Magnitude Earthquake with No Fatalities
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 on the Richter scale took place in Kulu, Konya’s border district to Ankara, at 02:14, according to data from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). The earthquake took place at a depth of 7.86 kilometers and was felt in surrounding districts. The initial evaluations indicated that no loss of life, injury, or structural damage occurred.
In response to the earthquake, some citizens went out in panic and had to wait for a while, during which time one of them fell ill. An ambulance was called and the person received medical assistance. The occurrence of the earthquake in Konya raised questions regarding whether Konya is an earthquake-prone zone and whether the fault line map in Turkey has changed, resulting in new fault lines. Prof. Dr. Süleyman Pampal, a faculty member at Gazi University, answered these questions during an interview on CNN TÜRK. In his statement, he warned that Konya is indeed an earthquake-prone zone with a 100 km active fault line.
He emphasized the importance of being prepared for earthquakes and that migration to cities that do not have fault lines is not a solution. Rather, earthquake-resistant structures should be built in every part of Turkey. He pointed out that the recent earthquakes have led to people migrating to cities without fault lines, which is not a permanent solution.
In light of the earthquake in Konya, it’s crucial to acknowledge that Turkey is an earthquake danger zone, and measures should be taken to ensure the safety of residents and buildings. While no fatalities or significant damages were reported in this incident, earthquakes can easily turn deadly if not taken seriously.
