Turkey Faces New Earthquake Threats

An anticipated major earthquake in Istanbul will affect the entire Marmara region, which has a population of over 25 million. Residents of nearby provinces should be prepared, warned Haluk Aydogan, a seismology professor and member of the Istanbul Municipality's Earthquake Advisory Board.

"In the event of earthquakes in the Marmara Sea with epicenters here, we must always emphasize that it is a regional disaster. Not only Istanbul but also the provinces of Bursa, Çanakkale, Tekirdağ, Kocaeli, and Yalova will be affected. Residents of these provinces, especially those in coastal areas, need to be concerned about preparing for earthquakes and building resilient structures," Aydogan stated.

Recent seismic activity has already been felt, as a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck near the shores of the Marmara Sea this past Wednesday, followed by aftershocks, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). The earthquake resulted in 236 injuries but did not cause fatalities or extensive destruction.

Seismologists note that significant aftershocks are expected to continue for several weeks.