4.9 magnitude earthquake strikes Canakkale, felt across Istanbul and surrounding regions

Seismic expert Okan Tüysüz describes seismic activity as ongoing phenomenon resembling “earthquake storm,” which occurs when earthquakes of various magnitudes happen at the same magnitude

A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck İstanbul and surrounding areas on Monday, with the epicenter reported in Çanakkale, according to initial information from AFAD.

Okan Tüysüz, a seismic expert, described the seismic activity between Çanakkale and Biga as an ongoing phenomenon resembling an “earthquake storm.” He noted, “It wouldn’t be wrong to call it an ‘earthquake storm.’ It occurs when earthquakes of various magnitudes happen at the same magnitude.” Tüysüz emphasized that such events generally consist of medium and small earthquakes, stating, “They generally do not produce destructive earthquakes.”

He revealed that the earthquake’s epicenter was situated between Gönen and Kalkım, an area where a branch of the North Anatolian Fault ruptured in 1953. Tüysüz noted that due to insufficient stress accumulation since 1953, there hadn’t been significant anticipation of a major earthquake in the region. He stated that while the earthquake may be felt in Istanbul, Bursa, and Tekirdag to some extent, it is unlikely to cause any substantial damage.

He further explained the unpredictability of aftershocks and foreshocks during earthquake storms, stating, “Many earthquakes occur intertwined. Following a 4.9 in this region, earthquakes of magnitudes such as 3.9 and 4.0 are possible. If it is in the form of an earthquake storm, earthquakes of 5.0 and above are also common in the region.”

Regarding the readiness for earthquakes in Çanakkale, Tüysüz commented, “Çanakkale, like all of Turkey, is not prepared for earthquakes. The earthquake center is at a distance from Çanakkale. There are villages and districts nearby, such as Biga and Gönen. Even if earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 occur, we do not think it will cause damage. We do not expect this earthquake to cause damage under normal conditions.”

Tüysüz emphasized the importance of monitoring the acceleration values of seismic waves, highlighting that the low acceleration values felt in Istanbul indicate minimal impact. However, he cautioned that recurrent earthquakes like this one could lead to structural fatigue in poorly constructed buildings on weak ground over time.

Explaining why the earthquake in Çanakkale was felt in İstanbul, Tüysüz added, “It is a shallow earthquake and felt over a wide area. I believe it was felt not only in İstanbul but also in Edirne, İzmir, and Bursa. It was felt over an area of 200 kilometers. Its distance from İstanbul is just below 200 kilometers. It is important to emphasize that this earthquake does not pose a threat to İstanbul.”

The seismic event, which occurred at 21:38:55 local time, had a depth of 10.44 kilometers with its epicenter located at 39.99306 N latitude and 27.43083 E longitude in Yenice, Çanakkale.

Source: Newsroom