Turkey’s Most Risky Earthquake Zones Revealed on Live Fault Map
The Active Earthquake Fault Map of Turkey Has Been Updated
As Turkey continues to experience earthquakes in various regions, the Mineral Research and Exploration General Directorate (MTA) has updated the active fault map of the country. According to recent research, there are 485 active faults in 45 provinces that have the potential to produce earthquakes measuring 5.5 or higher.
The cities that are at first-degree risk include Izmir, Balıkesir, Manisa, Muğla, Aydın, Denizli, Isparta, Uşak, Bursa, Bilecik, Yalova, Sakarya, Düzce, Kocaeli, Kırşehir, Bolu, Karabük, Hatay, Bartın, Çankırı, Tokat, Amasya, Çanakkale, Erzincan, Tunceli, Bingöl, Muş, Hakkari, Osmaniye, Kırıkkale, and Siirt.
Geologist Prof. Dr. Okan Tüysüz provided insight into the risk map, explaining the faults that have the potential to produce earthquakes in Turkey. He emphasized that there is no risk-free place in Turkey and stated that the country is prone to earthquakes due to its geographic location.
The active fault map identifies the provinces at second-degree risk, including Tekirdağ, Istanbul, Bitlis, Kahramanmaraş, Van, Adıyaman, Şırnak, Zonguldak, Afyon, Samsun, Antalya, Erzurum, Kars, Ardahan, Batman, Iğdır, Elazığ, Diyarbakır, Adana, Eskişehir, Malatya, Kütahya, Çankırı, Uşak, Ağrı, Çorum.
According to the Turkey Earthquake Map, the provinces in the fourth and fifth groups with the lowest earthquake risk are Sinop, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, Artvin, Kırklareli, Ankara, Edirne, Adana, Nevşehir, Niğde, Aksaray, Konya, and Karaman.
Geologist Prof. Dr. Okan Tüysüz noted that there are three major faults in Turkey, including the North Anatolian Fault, the Eastern Anatolian Fault, and the fault in Erzincan. He stressed the importance of earthquake-resistant infrastructure and building practices in areas prone to seismic activity.
Furthermore, Dr. Tüysüz emphasized that there are no active faults in Istanbul, but the city has a history of being affected by earthquakes due to faults located in surrounding regions. He warned that complacency regarding earthquake risks could pose serious dangers and emphasized the need for proactive measures to ensure public safety.
The updated active fault map aims to provide valuable information to the public and authorities regarding earthquake risks and the necessary precautions that should be taken to minimize potential damages. It serves as a critical tool in enhancing preparedness and resilience in seismic-prone areas across Turkey.
