13.08.2025 15:27
In the excavations carried out as part of urban transformation in Erzurum, three separate fault lines, each formed by earthquakes that occurred at least 1,700 years ago, have been uncovered. Geological engineer Dr. Mehmet Salih Bayraktutan stated that these faults should be protected under the status of 'geological heritage,' saying, "Earthquakes are not a disaster, but a blessing. Earthquakes are a mercy that ensures the existence of life on Earth."
One of the oldest residential areas of the city, Hacı Cuma Neighborhood, which is intertwined with important historical artifacts such as Erzurum Castle, the Double Minaret Medrese, the Grand Mosque, and the Three Tombs, has revealed three separate earthquake fault lines during the excavations carried out by the Metropolitan Municipality as part of the urban transformation project.
FOUND DURING EXCAVATION
In the sections opened by the excavation machines, the internal structure of the old unit, consisting of folds, thrust faults, and clayey silt-sand layers deposited on alluvium, was observed along with the fault lines. Dr. Mehmet Salih Bayraktutan, the founder of the Earthquake Research Center at Erzurum Atatürk University and a retired geological engineer, stated, "The fault lines here pass through Erzurum and continue along the Çat road, curving a bit and extending to the rural Yarımca Neighborhood beneath the city hospital. We can clearly see the fault lines here."
"SHOULD BE PROTECTED AND USED AS A MUSEUM"
Dr. Bayraktutan, who stated that a real fault can be seen here, said, "I used to show my students the fault surface blocks on the Çat road and the folds and thrust faults behind them. I believe that Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality and the General Directorate of Nature Conservation should protect this area as a geopark, open it to scientific research, and use it as a museum. It will contribute to the scientific studies of construction and geology engineering students coming from all over Turkey."
"A MAXIMUM OF 6 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE CAN OCCUR IN ERZURUM"
Dr. Mehmet Salih Bayraktutan stated that each of the fault lines revealed during the urban transformation excavation was formed by earthquakes that occurred at least 1700-2000 years ago, saying, "A maximum of 6 magnitude earthquake can occur in Erzurum. This is quite normal seismic activity for Turkey. If I know that the building I live in is built on solid ground and according to earthquake regulations, I would not panic or run away during such an earthquake. Since last night, I have been watching the Balıkesir earthquake on the screens. I see that the officials of the municipality and private construction control companies speaking on television show that all documents are complete in their investigation. So, the formalities are complete on paper. But whose signatures are they, what is the competence of these individuals, and under what conditions the reports were prepared should be seriously investigated."
"EARTHQUAKE IS NOT A DISASTER, BUT A BLESSING"
Dr. Bayraktutan, who stated that no structure should collapse in an earthquake of magnitude 6, said:
"If it collapses, the responsibility lies with the engineers who prepared the report and constructed the building. No one can blame the earthquake. An earthquake is not a disaster, but a blessing. Because thanks to earthquakes, climate changes are softened, the atmosphere is cleaned, and the hydrological system on the earth is balanced. Neither extreme drought nor the destruction caused by excessive rainfall and floods is minimized. Earthquakes are a mercy that ensures the existence of life on earth and allows it to continue. This is my personal opinion. I never consider earthquakes as natural disasters. An earthquake is not a disaster like floods and fires. If our houses are solid, we should be grateful for the earthquake. The fractures and collapses caused by the earthquake release a lot of gas from magma into the atmosphere. This regulates meteorological values close to the earth's surface and ensures continuity in living life. Additionally, it plays a role in the formation of industrial raw materials such as geothermal resources, salt, gypsum, and travertine."