05.01.2026 13:21
Dr. Lecturer Ahmet Bal, the Head of the Department of Construction Works and Technical Affairs at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, stated that the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Sea of Marmara has activated two large depressions off the coast of Tekirdağ, saying, "The movement of these depressions increases the risk of a tsunami in the sea. This means that our structures along the coastline are not only facing the threat of an earthquake but also the likelihood of encountering a tsunami as a secondary disaster."
Dr. Ahmet Bal, Head of the Department of Construction Works and Technical Affairs at NKÜ, stated that they accelerated building safety inspections following the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Silivri in the Sea of Marmara on April 23 last year. Emphasizing that the area they struggled with the most during the inspections was the coastal strip extending from Kumbağ Neighborhood to the district of Marmaraereğlisi, Dr. Bal said, "Because there is uncontrolled construction in the buildings along the coastal strip. There are almost too many structures used as secondary homes or summer houses from Kumbağ to Marmaraereğlisi, and unfortunately, since they are very close to the sea, they are facing serious corrosion effects, and most of these buildings were constructed in the 80s and 90s."
"WE EXPECT A 2-METER WAVE HEIGHT" In addition to the corrosion risk in the region, Dr. Ahmet Bal drew attention to two large depressions identified in the Sea of Marmara as a result of studies by Boğaziçi University and Namık Kemal University, stating: "There are two large depressions in the sea in Tekirdağ. We believe that the layers that have accumulated and collapsed over these deep depressions have started to move, especially since the earthquake on April 23 last year. Therefore, the movement of these collapses also increases the tsunami risk in the sea. This means that our structures along the coastal strip are not only facing earthquakes but also the likelihood of encountering a tsunami as a secondary disaster. The tsunami risk, especially when we talk about Tekirdağ, can occur due to the movement of sediments in the two large depressions from Kumbağ to Marmaraereğlisi, and it is possible that it could reach up to 50 meters inland from the coastal strip, and we expect wave heights close to 2 meters. Unfortunately, our structures here are very weak, which makes our job very difficult in rapid inspections, and the earthquakes since April 23 have increasingly made this secondary disaster risk, that is, the tsunami risk after the earthquake, more ordinary and visible."
"THE EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE OF THE STRUCTURES IS NOT VERY HIGH" Stating that the building stock in the coastal area is also risky, Dr. Bal said, "To be honest, we have almost completed the rapid inspection of Çorlu. We are continuing these studies in the center of Süleymanpaşa. But as I said, the coastal area is what tires us the most. Because unfortunately, the houses here are very close to the sea. Due to the corrosion effect, the reinforcements inside are rusted. And of course, since they were built according to the conditions of the old regulations, they are not structurally safe either. Additionally, when there is a tsunami risk, we must state that the earthquake resistance of these structures is not very high, especially along the coastal strip, which poses serious risks."