22.08.2026 14:40
The earthquakes that occurred one after another off the coast of Adalar and Çınarcık in the Marmara Sea drew attention. While 32 tremors with magnitudes ranging between 1.1 and 3.2 were recorded within 24 hours on August 20, Ozan Burak Cangir, the Yalova Provincial Representative of the Chamber of Geological Engineers, stated that this activity alone cannot be interpreted as a precursor to a major earthquake.
While the small and medium-sized earthquakes that have occurred one after another in recent days in the Marmara Sea, especially off the shores of the Princes' Islands and Çınarcık, have drawn attention, a statement on the seismic activity came from Ozan Burak Cangir, the Yalova Provincial Representative of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Chamber of Geological Engineers. Cangir stated that the consecutive earthquakes alone cannot be considered as a precursor to a major earthquake.
While there has been activity in the Marmara Sea, especially off the coast of the Princes' Islands district of Istanbul, since August 18, many small tremors were also recorded in the region on August 20. Among the earthquakes off the Princes' Islands was a tremor with a magnitude of 3.2. Earthquakes of various magnitudes also occurred off the coast of Çınarcık.
32 TREMBLORS FELT IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
A total of 32 tremors, with magnitudes ranging between 1.1 and 3.2, were recorded off the coast of the Marmara Sea on August 20 within a 24-hour period. Numerous tremors of various magnitudes were also recorded throughout the day off the coast of Çınarcık. According to AFAD data, an earthquake with a magnitude of 1.6 occurred in Çınarcık on August 19 at 17:20. The activity in the Marmara Sea continued on August 22 as well. According to AFAD records, an earthquake with a magnitude of 1.5 occurred in the Marmara Sea, approximately 12 kilometers from Çınarcık, on August 22 at 01:26.
KNOWN AS AN "EARTHQUAKE STORM"
Ozan Burak Cangir, the Yalova Provincial Representative of the TMMOB Chamber of Geological Engineers, who drew attention to the fact that the Marmara Region is an active tectonic system with many active and secondary faults, primarily the North Anatolian Fault Zone, stated that the recent small and medium-sized earthquakes could be related to stress changes and fractures occurring in secondary fault segments around the main fault zone.
Cangir stated that the occurrence of many small earthquakes in a short period of time is called an "earthquake storm" by the public, but this alone does not mean that a major earthquake has started or is approaching.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO CALL THEM FORESHOCKS"
Cangir, noting that whether an earthquake is a foreshock can only be understood retrospectively after a larger earthquake occurs following it, said that saying "these earthquakes are foreshocks of a major earthquake" or saying "they are definitely not related to a major earthquake" is not scientifically correct today.
Emphasizing that with today's scientific capabilities, it is not possible to accurately determine the day, hour, and magnitude of an earthquake in advance, Cangir warned citizens against statements on social media such as "a major earthquake is coming," "the fault has been activated," and "these are definitely foreshocks."
Cangir, stating that the small earthquakes in the Marmara Sea do not eliminate the earthquake hazard for Yalova, reminded that the city experienced severe consequences in the August 17, 1999 Marmara Earthquake. Drawing attention to Yalova's proximity to active faults, the thick alluvial soils especially in the coastal areas, and the landslide and ground problems in some regions, Cangir said that determining the ground conditions correctly is as vital as building safety.
Cangir said, "Therefore, the real issue we should be discussing should not be seeking an answer to the question 'Is a major earthquake coming?' after every small earthquake, but rather the question 'How ready are we when a major earthquake occurs?'"