27.11.2025 13:15
Japanese earthquake expert Yoshinori Moriwaki stated, "There are many fault lines in the Aegean Region, and it is risky. There is a risk in the Bandırma district of Balıkesir and in Bursa. The safest province in Turkey is Kırklareli. Except for Samsun, the Black Sea Region is also safe. We can list Konya, Niğde, and Karaman. There have been earthquakes in Konya, but they were small. A major earthquake is not expected here."
The conference organized by the Faculty of Health Sciences of Selçuk University featured earthquake expert Yoshinori Moriwaki as a speaker. Speaking here, Moriwaki stated that Turkey ranks third in the world for earthquake-related fatalities, emphasizing the importance of precautions.
Moriwaki expressed that in Japan, architects and civil engineers are required to receive education in geology, geophysics, and seismology, saying, "Turkey and Japan share similar characteristics regarding earthquakes. There are 4 tectonic plates in Japan and 6 in Turkey. Turkey is more complex. We must accept the reality of earthquakes. We need to be prepared. The North Anatolian Fault, which starts from Indonesia, is one of the major fault lines in the world," he stated.
"I DO NOT EXPECT A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE IN BALIKESIR"
Moriwaki said, "There are many fault lines in the Aegean Region, and it is risky. There is a risk in the Bandırma district of Balıkesir and in Bursa. The safest province in Turkey is Kırklareli. Except for Samsun, the Black Sea Region is also safe. We can list Konya, Niğde, and Karaman. There have been earthquakes in Konya, but they were small. A major earthquake is not expected here.
"50% OF THE BUILDING STOCK EXCEEDS 21 MILLION IS ILLEGAL"
As an architect in Turkey, and I say this with sadness; Turkey ranks third in the world for fatalities. It is shameful, and this needs to be corrected. I have been in Turkey for 35 years for this reason. The Building Inspection Law came into effect in 2001. Initially, 19 pilot provinces were determined. Despite being a first-degree earthquake zone, there are provinces where building inspections have not been conducted to this day. 50% of the building stock exceeding 21 million in Turkey is illegal," he said.