26.04.2025 13:40
According to the updated Earthquake Hazard and Active Fault Maps by AFAD and MTA, the 20 provinces in Turkey with the lowest earthquake risk have been identified. Sinop, Artvin, and Rize are at the top of the list. Authorities have called on all citizens to prepare for earthquakes, even though the risk is low.
The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) have updated the Turkey Earthquake Hazard and Active Fault Maps, revealing the distribution of risk across the country. According to the study, the 20 provinces with the lowest earthquake risk in Turkey have been identified.
MAINLY IN CENTRAL ANATOLIA AND THE BLACK SEA REGION
It is noteworthy that the list predominantly includes provinces from the Black Sea and Central Anatolia regions. These cities, which are relatively sheltered from the effects of major fault lines and are far from metropolitan areas, have been assessed in a relatively lower risk group due to both their building stock and geographical locations.
The 20 cities with the least earthquake risk in Turkey are as follows:
1- Sinop
2- Artvin
3- Rize
4- Trabzon
5- Giresun
6- Kastamonu
7- Bartın
8- Zonguldak
9- Karabük
10- Amasya
11- Çankırı
12- Yozgat
13- Kırşehir
14- Nevşehir
15- Niğde
16- Aksaray
17- Konya
18- Karaman
19- Kırıkkale
20- Edirne
"LOW RISK BUT NOT ZERO" WARNING
Authorities stated that while the cities on the list carry a lower risk for major earthquakes, they reminded that the entire country of Turkey is an earthquake-prone area. AFAD experts emphasized that small-scale earthquakes and aftershocks could also occur in these provinces. Additionally, it was noted that even in cities with low earthquake risk, building safety is of great importance, and that weak buildings and old building stocks could still pose a danger.
DO NOT IGNORE THE REALITY OF EARTHQUAKES
AFAD called on all citizens to create emergency plans, prepare disaster bags, and carry out building reinforcement works, warning that "The reality of earthquakes should always be taken into account."