A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Istanbul on Wednesday afternoon, injuring at least 151 people and sparking widespread panic.
The tremor revived painful memories of the devastating earthquakes in 2023 and 1999, raising concerns across the region, including in Greece.
Seismologists Offer Reassurance
The earthquake, centred in the Marmara region, has prompted questions about its potential impact on Greece. In an interview on the Greek morning show Koinonia Ora MEGA, Professor Efthymios Lekkas, an expert in Geology and Natural Disaster Management, provided insights. Lekkas, who is set to travel to Istanbul, noted that the Marmara fault has long been a concern.
“For years, we’ve highlighted that the Marmara fault, which hadn’t produced a major quake, was overdue. Based on our data, we expected a maximum magnitude of 7.8. This 6.2-magnitude event didn’t rupture the entire fault, resulting in a smaller quake. If the fault fully ruptures, a larger earthquake is likely. At this magnitude, Greece is unaffected. A 7.0-magnitude quake would change the conversation,” Lekkas explained.
Seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos also weighed in, noting a statistical trend of strong earthquakes in April. Just hours before the Istanbul quake, Papadopoulos had posted about this pattern, referencing the anniversary of a past quake in Kos. “Statistics show a ‘preference’ for quakes in April and from mid-July to August. The Istanbul earthquake seems to confirm this,” he remarked.
Papadopoulos added that the 6.2-magnitude event might be the main quake, though the region remains at risk. “Mathematically, it’s certain this area will face a major earthquake, above 7.5 magnitude, which is a significant challenge. For now, Greece has no reason to worry,” he concluded.
As Istanbul grapples with the aftermath, Greek seismologists urge calm, emphasising that the current event poses no immediate threat to Greece. However, the Marmara fault’s potential for a larger quake remains a critical concern for the region.