07.02.2025 00:10
Associate Professor Dr. Hamdi Alkan, who stated that the earthquake storms in the Aegean could last for another 1-2 years, noted that the ongoing activity in Santorini could trigger the Amorgos fault, potentially leading to a major earthquake. Alkan said, "If an earthquake greater than 7 occurs in the region, there is a serious tsunami risk for Izmir and its surroundings."
Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi (YYÜ) Geophysics Engineering Department Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hamdi Alkan drew attention to the earthquake swarms around Santorini Island in Greece, stating, "If an earthquake greater than 7 occurs in the region, there is a serious tsunami risk for İzmir and its surroundings."
"AMARGOS FAULT MAY CAUSE EARTHQUAKE OVER 7" The recent increase in seismic activity in the Aegean Sea is attracting the attention of scientists. More than 500 earthquake swarms in the Aegean Sea have prompted scientists to issue warnings about the seismic activity and tsunami risk in the region. According to experts, these earthquakes are related to volcanism and may be part of a prolonged earthquake swarm. However, the most concerning scenario is the possibility that this activity could trigger the Amorgos fault, leading to a major earthquake. Researchers remind that an earthquake greater than 7 occurred in the region in the 1950s, warning that a similar magnitude tremor could pose a serious tsunami risk for İzmir and its surroundings.
"EARTHQUAKES ARE RELATED TO VOLCANISM" Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hamdi Alkan from Van YYÜ Geophysics Engineering Department stated that he and Prof. Dr. Serkan Öztürk made predictions regarding the earthquakes in the Aegean Sea in their scientific study published in November 2024. Alkan expressed that they made significant findings regarding the expected earthquakes in the region in their scientific study, saying, "As of now, more than 500 earthquakes have occurred, and the tremors continue. The largest earthquake is 5.1 in magnitude, shallow in depth, and has a normal fault mechanism. When we combine all these parameters, we can clearly say that the earthquakes are related to volcanism."
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hamdi Alkan "SERIOUS TSUNAMI RISK FOR İZMİR AND ITS SURROUNDINGS" Alkan stated that the movement of the African plate to the north has been observed to concentrate on the Amorgos fault line, one of the five seismic zones around Santorini. He noted, "The earthquakes are concentrated not exactly in the center of the caldera, but towards the northeast along the Amorgos fault line. The fact that these earthquakes are not large-scale and are clustered at certain intervals can be considered a relatively positive situation. However, there are current examples in the literature indicating that such earthquake swarms can last for 1-2 years. The most concerning point is the possibility that this volcanic-related earthquake swarm could trigger the Amorgos fault, leading to a major earthquake. Historically, an earthquake greater than 7 occurred in this region in the 1950s. If a similar magnitude earthquake occurs, there is a serious tsunami risk for İzmir and its surroundings. Significant destruction could occur, especially in coastal areas. Therefore, it is vital for our government’s relevant institutions to take preventive measures," he stated.
"POTENTIAL LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY COULD BE HIGH" "Today marks the anniversary of the February 6 earthquakes. These major earthquakes caused serious destruction and losses, directly affecting 11 of our provinces. Similarly, an earthquake occurred in İzmir and its surroundings in 2020. If the current earthquake swarm triggers a major earthquake and subsequently a tsunami through tectonic movements, the potential loss of life and property could be quite high. Therefore, it is crucial to take necessary precautions without ignoring the risks."