15.04.2025 16:50
Associate Professor Dr. Muhammet Bahadır from Ondokuz Mayıs University emphasized the population density in Samsun, Amasya, and Tokat, stating, "These city centers will be significantly affected by an earthquake on the North Anatolian Fault."
Associate Professor Dr. Muhammet Bahadır, a faculty member of the Department of Geography at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), stated that the 4.6 magnitude earthquake that occurred on April 13 had its epicenter in the Taşova district of Amasya and was formed on the North Anatolian Fault Line.
"THERE IS NO NEED TO BE TOO AFRAID OF SUCH EARTHQUAKES" Bahadır, who pointed out that the North Anatolian Fault is one of the most active fault lines in Turkey, noted: "Small to medium-sized earthquakes occur from time to time on the North Anatolian Fault and will continue to do so. There is no need to be too afraid of such earthquakes." Emphasizing that Turkey is a country located in an active earthquake zone, Bahadır stated, "The North Anatolian Fault sometimes produces very large earthquakes of 7 and above. It is a fault line that can produce earthquakes up to 7.9 in magnitude, as seen in Erzincan. A very large earthquake that also affected the center of Ladik occurred in 1943. Those living in the Central Black Sea region suffered significant damage from this major earthquake." he said.
Associate Professor Dr. Muhammet Bahadır EARTHQUAKE RISK CONTINUES AT A SERIOUS LEVEL Reminding that the North Anatolian Fault causes earthquakes at certain intervals, Bahadır continued: "We know that a certain period passes after each earthquake. This period is particularly dependent on the fault's slip, energy release, and the amount of rupture. This gives us information about the rough chronology of earthquakes. However, there is no rule that this will always happen. Sometimes it occurs in 15 years, and sometimes it takes more than 100 years. We see that the risk along the fault line in Ladik and the Central Black Sea region is gradually increasing, and the risk rate is rising. Therefore, the anxiety of our citizens is due to this. There has been energy release around Kahramanmaraş and its surroundings. The risk continues at a serious level in all our areas outside this zone. That is why we are discussing Erzincan, Bingöl, Bursa, Istanbul, and Izmir today, and all of these are our major cities."
"WE MUST CREATE EARTHQUAKE-RESILIENT CITIES" Emphasizing the importance of earthquake preparedness, Bahadır stated, "We must create earthquake-resilient cities, we must establish earthquake-resilient settlements, and we must do this together with the state and the nation. Our contractors must build buildings according to their projects. Our municipality must supervise the project appropriately. Our Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change must follow this process. Therefore, if we take such measures, the damage caused by the earthquake will also decrease, and we will have learned to live with earthquakes." he evaluated.
"SAMSUN, AMASYA, AND TOKAT WILL BE AFFECTED TO A VERY SERIOUS DEGREE" Bahadır, who stated that they have been conducting research and projects related to earthquakes, especially in the Central Black Sea region and around Ladik for many years, concluded his remarks as follows: "My biggest concern and worry here was this; the areas around Samsun, Amasya, and Tokat are particularly densely populated areas. These city centers will be seriously affected by an earthquake on the North Anatolian Fault line. We specifically emphasized the Atakum district of Samsun, which is our project area. 80% of Atakum's urbanization area is built on alluvial soil, and high-rise permits have been granted here. There are buildings of 5, 10, and 15 stories, and we said that the ground here is problematic. In other words, it is not solid. There are areas with liquefaction problems in terms of earthquakes, and significant damage can occur here, especially after a major earthquake."