20.08.2026 01:10
Small-scale earthquakes off Istanbul's Buyukada have brought earthquake concerns in Istanbul back onto the agenda. Earth scientist Prof. Dr. Şener Üşümezsoy stated that the tremors should not be associated with the expected major Istanbul earthquake, noting that the activity did not occur on the main fault line. Üşümezsoy also argued that the Adalar fault does not have the capacity to produce a large earthquake.
Small-scale earthquakes that occurred off the coast of Istanbul's Adalar district have brought discussions about fault activity in the Marmara region back to the agenda.
While the question "Is this a sign for the great Istanbul earthquake?" has come back to the public agenda following the tremors, geoscientist Prof. Dr. Şener Üşümezsoy has made an assessment on the subject.
"NOT A HARBINGER OF A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE"
Üşümezsoy stated that the micro-earthquakes recorded off the coast of Büyükada should not be evaluated in connection with the expected major Istanbul earthquake.
Noting that there is no unusual activity on the main fault line in the region, Üşümezsoy expressed that the tremors experienced are not a harbinger of a major earthquake.
TREMORS OCCURRED ON SECONDARY FAULTS
According to Üşümezsoy, the small earthquakes that occurred south of Büyükada did not take place directly on the main fault line. The tremors occurred on secondary and tertiary fault branches that cut the main fault from south to north.
Stating that these fault branches are not structures capable of accumulating large amounts of stress, Üşümezsoy expressed that this activity should not be interpreted as an expectation of a destructive earthquake.
"THE ADALAR FAULT IS AN OLD AND DEAD FAULT"
Prof. Dr. Üşümezsoy also made striking assessments regarding the Adalar fault. Üşümezsoy stated that this fault is an old and dead fault, arguing that a major earthquake will not occur from the Adalar fault.
"SMALL-SCALE RELEASE OF STRESS"
Evaluating the recent activity around Büyükada as the small-scale release of stress that had previously accumulated in the region, Üşümezsoy said this is one of the usual processes that can be seen in the Marmara region.
Noting that the micro-earthquakes are also consistent with the fault maps they prepared years ago, Üşümezsoy stated that similar triggered small-scale tremors have occurred in the region since 1999.
OCCURRED TWO DAYS AFTER THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE AUGUST 17 EARTHQUAKE
While the tremors occurring two days after the anniversary of the August 17, 1999 Marmara Earthquake caused public concern, Üşümezsoy stated that the timing of the earthquakes alone should not be considered an indication of a major danger.
RESPONSE TO THE PERCEPTION THAT "THE ISTANBUL EARTHQUAKE IS COMING"
Üşümezsoy emphasized that the micro-earthquakes around the Adalar district alone will not create an expectation of a moderate or large-scale earthquake. He also argued that interpreting the activity in the public as "the Istanbul earthquake is coming" is not supported by scientific data.