04.02.2025 16:25
Serkan İçelli, a Mining Technology and Earth Sciences Specialist, who indicated the Maraş earthquake 10 days in advance, evaluated the intense earthquakes occurring in the Aegean Sea. He stated that although a seismically destructive earthquake is not expected along the Aegean coasts, the tsunamis generated by earthquakes occurring in areas close to the coasts could have a devastating impact on the shores.
Since January 28, more than 2000 earthquakes have occurred in the Aegean Sea. While tremors continue in some areas, authorities in Turkey and Greece have started to take precautions.
HE HAD WARNED ABOUT THE MARAŞ EARTHQUAKE 10 DAYS IN ADVANCE
Serkan İçelli, an expert in mining technology and earth sciences, who made statements following the earthquakes in the sea area between the islands of Santorini and Amorgos, pointed out the Maraş earthquake 10 days prior, stating that earthquakes occurring in areas close to the coasts could have a devastating effect along with a tsunami. He made the following assessment: "There has been seismic activity in the Aegean Sea in recent days; a series of earthquakes occurred in 2011 in a similar manner. This situation had ended without causing any volcanic eruption. In 1956, two earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.8 occurred again in the islands of Amorgos and Santorini. The last major earthquakes in the region were these earthquakes.
"A REGION WITH SEISMIC ACTIVITY"
There are two fault lines that cut through Amorgos Island to the north and south. One is 50 kilometers long, and the other is 80 kilometers long, and the fault lines continue towards Santorini. Due to the earthquake occurring on these faults, caldera formations are still ongoing there. This can sometimes lead to what is referred to as a series of earthquakes. When looking at this region, it is a region with a lot of seismic activity. In the 1600s BC, in addition to the volcanic eruption that destroyed the Minoan Civilization, tsunamis affected areas as far as Egypt, and fossil remains can be found around Zonguldak and its surroundings. It is beneficial to be cautious against tsunamis in this regard.
"TSUNAMIS COULD STRIKE THE MUĞLA COASTS"
The occurring earthquake sequences can cause lava flows on the seabed. Not like an explosion or eruption, but they can create lava flows on the seabed. We can measure the sea water temperature with satellites and various sensors. There is a possibility of an earthquake of magnitude 7.5 occurring from the faults. In the gap we call the Hellenic Arc, there is a seismic gap. Earthquakes of magnitudes 7 and 7.5 are not a surprise here. These earthquakes do not cause a disaster-level impact and destruction in our country. They could strike the Muğla coasts in the form of a tsunami.
"CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO WEAK BUILDINGS"
The heights of tsunami waves can reach up to 1 to 3 meters and can rise to 4 or 5 meters with impact force. They can also cause sea overflow from the shore to the city center for about 1 or 2 kilometers. Earthquakes of magnitude 7.5 can cause damage to weak buildings in Muğla and its coasts. The closer the earthquake occurs to our coast, the greater the damage or destruction it will cause. Currently, the nearest earthquake occurred 160 kilometers from the Muğla coasts and 220 kilometers from the İzmir coasts. Although we do not predict an earthquake that would devastate our country seismically, earthquakes occurring in areas close to our coasts could have a devastating effect along with a tsunami. It is beneficial for our citizens in coastal areas to be a bit more cautious and to follow official authorities.