25.04.2025 09:40
Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir, who is affiliated with Dokuz Eylul University, stated that the earthquake measuring 4.5 that occurred in the Simav district of Kütahya was caused by the release of stress that had accumulated after the earthquakes that took place in 2011-2012. Sözbilir also noted that aftershocks may continue in the region.
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Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir, the Director of the Earthquake Research and Application Center of Dokuz Eylul University (DEU), stated regarding the earthquake of magnitude 4.5 that occurred in the Simav district of Kütahya, "This earthquake can be considered as a result of the release of stress accumulated in the northern parts of Naşa following the earthquakes that occurred in the Naşa-Simav region with magnitudes up to 5.7 in 2011-2012."
"THE FAULT IS A NORMAL FAULT WITH A STRIKE-SLIP COMPONENT"
Sözbilir evaluated the earthquake of magnitude 4.5, which had its epicenter in the Simav district. He noted that the earthquake occurred between Karakoca and Madenköy, stating, "According to the focal mechanism solutions made by AFAD and international seismology stations, the fault that caused the earthquake is characterized as a normal fault with a strike-slip component. This earthquake can be considered as a result of the release of stress accumulated in the northern parts of Naşa following the earthquakes that occurred in the Naşa-Simav region with magnitudes up to 5.7 in 2011-2012."
"THE POSSIBILITY OF SIMILAR ACTIVITY REOCCURRING IS HIGH"
It is known that in this region, small-scale earthquakes occurred in the form of intense repeating earthquake swarms after the main shock between 2011 and 2012, thus the possibility of similar activity reoccurring is evaluated as high."
"AFTERSHOCKS WILL CONTINUE FOR A WHILE LONGER"
Sözbilir pointed out that the main fault in the region is the north-dipping Simav Fault, stating, "It can be accepted that these earthquakes are related to small-scale synthetic faulting in the hanging wall of the Simav Fault. In this context, it can be predicted that small-scale aftershocks will continue for a certain period of time. There is no situation that would cause panic."
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