12.11.2025 10:37
Speaking about the earthquake swarm in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir, Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir, the Director of the Earthquake Research and Application Center at Dokuz Eylül University (DEÜ), stated, "Recently, the Sındırgı Fault has also started to produce earthquakes. It used to have very little activity. Since multiple faults are involved in the activity, the earthquake swarm may last for several months."
An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 occurred in the Sındırgı district on October 27. Another earthquake of the same magnitude was experienced in the same district on August 10. After the earthquakes, which were felt in surrounding provinces, there were numerous aftershocks in the region. While anxiety continues due to the aftershocks, Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir, the Director of the DEÜ Earthquake Research and Application Center, made statements regarding the earthquakes. Stating that an unusual situation is occurring in the region, Prof. Dr. Sözbilir said, "The presence of faults within the system and the geothermal system structure of the region increases activity. After the main shock of magnitude 6.1 on August 10, thousands of aftershocks occurred. On October 27, a second main shock of magnitude 6.1 occurred again. These earthquakes occurred in a way that triggered each other."
"ACTIVITY THAT SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED IN 10 MONTHS HAPPENED IN 3 MONTHS"
Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir continued his remarks: "This situation indicates that the faults classified as dead faults south of the Sındırgı Fault have started to produce earthquakes. The earthquake activity in the region has exceeded 18,000. Normally, the activity that should occur in 10 months across Turkey has happened in 3 months in Sındırgı. There is serious earthquake activity. The continuation of this activity, along with the high frequency of earthquakes of magnitudes 3 and 4, can be explained by the presence of the geothermal system. This is also the case in the world. It has many different names such as 'earthquake storm', 'earthquake series', 'earthquake sequence'.
"ALL DAMAGED BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN EVACUATED"
Prof. Dr. Sözbilir, who stated that the earthquakes continue in the district, said, "The public is feeling these earthquakes. That’s why it has been declared a disaster area. The Turkey Disaster Response Plan has been activated. Psychosocial experts are circulating among the public. The state has intervened in both vital and psychological terms. All damaged buildings have been evacuated. We have moved those people to safer places. Therefore, some of these buildings may collapse as a result of the earthquake, but there will be no loss of life because they have been evacuated," he said.
"IT USED TO HAVE VERY LITTLE ACTIVITY"
Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir, who stated that the earthquakes need to be monitored, said, "In the far west, there is the Gelenbe Fault. Earthquakes here are also limited; it acts as a barrier. This fault can absorb the earthquake and reflect it to the north and south. Faults and earthquakes continue towards the southeast. The earthquake activity in this region can progress and continue. Earthquakes are occurring in the region at short intervals. The earthquakes north of the Sındırgı Fault are related to this fault. Recently, the Sındırgı Fault has also started to produce earthquakes. It used to have very little activity. Since multiple faults are participating in the activity, the earthquake storm may last for several months," he said.