Istanbul residents spent a sleepless night in tents and parks, bracing for a potential larger quake after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck, followed by over 120 aftershocks. Fearing a repeat of the devastating 1999 7.8-magnitude quake, thousands lit fires to stay warm as temperatures dipped below 10°C.
Approximately 150 people were injured, mostly from falls during the tremor, but no fatalities or building collapses were reported. Locals described the quake as one of the strongest in recent memory, heightening fears of a more powerful event.
Hagia Sophia at Risk if Quakes Persist
Efthymis Lekkas, President of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, warned that ongoing seismic activity along the Marmara fault could threaten the Hagia Sophia. Speaking on ERT News, he noted the fault’s potential to unleash quakes up to magnitude 7. While the current quake is unlikely to trigger tectonic activity in Greece, a larger event could prompt reassessment.
Lekkas outlined three scenarios for the 1,500-kilometer North Anatolian fault:
- The 6.2 quake was the main event, followed by aftershocks.
- A larger quake, possibly magnitude 7, could follow.
- A series of around 30 magnitude-6 quakes could gradually release energy.
Continued activity under the third scenario could damage the Hagia Sophia and up to one-third of Istanbul’s older buildings, aged 50–100 years, which are vulnerable to collapse.
The Marmara fault, part of the highly active North Anatolian fault, stretches from eastern Turkey to the Aegean Sea. A segment near Istanbul, unruptured for years, has now partially activated, but significant energy remains. Since 1939, this fault has caused seven quakes above magnitude 7, claiming countless lives, often due to panicked jumps from buildings.
Geologist Warns of Potential Magnitude 7 Quake
Turkish geologist Professor Naci Görür cautioned that a magnitude 7 quake remains possible along the Kumburgaz fault in the Sea of Marmara. Posting on X, he explained that recent tremors increase pressure on the fault, but the “real quake” could be larger.
Görür urged proactive preparation, emphasizing collaboration between government, municipalities, and citizens. “Earthquake preparedness isn’t just for when quakes strike. We must act when it’s quiet—building seismically resilient cities, not just new structures,” he said. He stressed the need for public vigilance and enforcement of safety measures.
Original source: www-tovima-com.cdn.ampproject.org