30.10.2025 13:53
The Director of the Earthquake Research Center at Dokuz Eylul University, Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir, commented on the earthquakes centered in Sındırgı, saying, "We have identified multiple faults, around 5-6, that follow each other from the plain to the mountain in the mountainous area. The fault here is referred to as a 'dead fault.' However, in geological terms, dead faults can be reactivated when they are subjected to extreme stress. We are witnessing this in these earthquakes."
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The President of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and a member of the Earthquake Science Board, Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir, stated that they have been conducting scientific studies in the region following the 6.1 magnitude earthquakes that occurred on August 10 and October 27 in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir.
Sözbilir explained that as part of their studies, they have identified new fault lines in the mountainous area between the rural neighborhoods of Yaylacık, Emendere, Aktaş, and Sinandede, which were not visible on the active fault map.
NEW FAULTS IDENTIFIED AFTER THE SECOND EARTHQUAKE
Indicating that they have initiated the process of mapping these faults, Sözbilir said, "None of these faults were included in the active fault map drawn in 2013. Therefore, they were mostly classified as dead faults. We returned to the region after the second earthquake."
"THIS FAULT IS BEING MAPPED FOR THE FIRST TIME"
Sözbilir emphasized that they have intensified their studies in the mountainous area, continuing his remarks as follows:
"We have detected multiple faults, 5-6 in total, that continue from the plain to the mountain in the mountainous area. The fault here is referred to as a 'dead fault' in the world literature. However, dead faults can be reactivated when subjected to extreme stress or due to changes in stress directions. We are witnessing this in these earthquakes. We can say that the faults in this mountainous area, which are not shown as active on maps, have started to produce earthquakes. This fault is being mapped for the first time. We have identified several faults that were not present on any previous maps. We have mapped some of them and sent them to international journals, and they are currently being published."
"ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE OF SIMILAR MAGNITUDE MAY OCCUR"
Noting that the identified fault plane corresponds with the mechanism at the focus of the earthquake, Sözbilir stated, "We can currently see the faults on the surface, but they can extend down to 10 kilometers and can produce earthquakes depending on the stress there. 5-6 faults in the region are producing earthquakes in a way that triggers each other. That’s why the earthquakes are not stopping."
"THEY EXTEND UP TO 35-40 KM"
Prof. Dr. Sözbilir provided information about the characteristics of the fault, stating:
"They extend up to 35-40 kilometers. The first earthquake broke at 6.1, and the second earthquake broke another 6.1 part. A third earthquake of 6.1 may occur because the entire fault has not yet broken. When we look at the ratio between the produced earthquakes and the length of the fault, we understand that the entire fault has not broken. Another earthquake of similar magnitude may develop. Since we have reached earthquakes of 6.1 magnitude in 3-4 months, a similar mechanism may repeat. We are currently experiencing an aftershock phase."
Sözbilir reported that two-thirds of the identified fault has broken, while the remaining one-third has a low probability of producing a major earthquake.
On the other hand, the surface part of the fault identified in the mountainous area between the rural neighborhoods of Yaylacık, Emendere, Aktaş, and Sinandede in Sındırgı has been visualized.
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