At a recent conference held at Turkey's Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Vocational School, geologist Prof. Dr. Celal Şengör warned of an imminent risk of a devastating earthquake and tsunami that could strike Istanbul and the Marmara region. The conference, titled "Expected Istanbul Earthquake and Its Effects on the Marmara Municipality," was attended by Turkish parliament members and mayors.
"I cannot imagine the disaster that will happen in Istanbul. It will be terrible, and I am sure that no precautions have been taken for this," Şengör said, emphasizing the dire need for immediate action, according to Karar.
Şengör explained that the North Anatolian Fault Line starts from Istanbul and extends to Marmaraereğlisi, emphasizing the region's earthquake risk. "The activity along the North Anatolian Fault directly affects the earthquake risk in the region," he noted, as reported by Diken.
He presented data regarding the potential tsunami risk, stating that in the event of a large landslide in Eastern Marmara, a tsunami wave close to seven meters high could be generated. "In Eastern Marmara, this was calculated; as a result of a large landslide, there could be a tsunami wave close to seven meters," Şengör stated.
At specific locations such as the Air Force Academy in Yeşilköy, Istanbul, wave heights could reach seven meters. This information underscores the severity of the tsunami threat, as detailed by Sözcü.
"Marmara is at the mouth of the cannon," Şengör cautioned, indicating the town's vulnerable position in the face of potential seismic activity, as reported by Karar. "Whether there will be a landslide or not depends on that. If there is a landslide, which is possible, it can create this tsunami in the central basin," he added.
Emphasizing the importance of confronting these harsh realities, he said, "I am painting a dark picture. But we must be realistic. We cannot deceive ourselves by saying everything is rosy and live like that," according to T24. His statements emphasize the necessity for honesty and urgency in addressing natural disasters.
The geologist expressed concern over the lack of sufficient measures being taken to prepare for such catastrophes."Just thinking about the consequences of a possible large earthquake in Istanbul is frightening. But the most frightening thing is that sufficient measures are not being taken against this disaster," he remarked.
Şengör argued that ignoring disaster scenarios is perilous and that immediate precautions are essential to mitigate material and spiritual damage. "I think sufficient precautions against tsunamis have not been taken in Istanbul and its surroundings," he warned, according to Halk TV.
A year after the earthquake referred to as the disaster of the century, Turkey continues to experience seismic activity. "Turkey continues to shake like a cradle," TRHaber reported, noting that small and large tremors are occurring nationwide.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq