Weekly Press Release of Istanbul Gelisim University (August 16-27, 2021)   

Abstract

THE EXPECTED ISTANBUL EARTHQUAKE MAY OCCUR UNTIL 2026 Stating that the North Anatolian Fault has 2 unbroken segments and that this situation threatens the Marmara and Eastern Anatolia Regions, Neotectonics and Earthquake Specialist Prof. Dr. Haluk Selim said that the expected Istanbul earthquake could occur until 2026. Selim also emphasized the importance of urban transformation projects by saying that the buildings on the Anatolian side of Istanbul carry a risk of 40% and the buildings on the European side have a risk of 60%. On the 22nd anniversary of the 17 August earthquake, Dean of Engineering and Architecture Faculty in Istanbul Gelisim University, Neotectonics and Earthquake Specialist Prof. Dr. Haluk Selim said that there are 2 unbroken segments of the North Anatolian Fault and this carries a great risk. Noting that the Marmara Sea and the Eastern Anatolia Region are under threat in this situation, Selim stated that “The North Anatolian Fault affected the region with two earthquakes that occurred in 1999. The North Anatolian Fault, which started in 1939, had a great impact in this geography, where we live, with approximately 11 earthquakes greater than 7.0 intensity in 60 years. The fault reached as far west as the 1999 earthquakes. But what happened next? Although it should have moved further west, it returned to Düzce and the second earthquake occurred. Currently, it still poses risks in the Marmara Sea.”