Kandilli Observatory: We are Quickly Approaching the End

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Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute Director Prof. Haluk Özener has held a press briefing on yesterday's (September 26) earthquake in İstanbul.

The magnitude of the earthquake was announced as 5.7 by the Observatory and 5.8 by the Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD) of the Presidency.

Özener said, "We don't know when it will happen, but unfortunately I can say that we are approaching the end quickly."

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In a statement to reporters, Özener said the following:

"Looking at the 4 and 4.5 magnitude earthquakes in the last 30 years, we see that it is mostly in the eastern and western segments. The middle segment is where the 1766 earthquake occurred. We have recorded over 200 earthquakes since yesterday.

"I want to draw your attention to the last four earthquakes. The 5.7 earthquake and the aftershocks are earthquakes occurred north of the main fault. When we look at some of the earthquakes that follow, we see that aftershocks are moving south. So, as Kandilli, what we need to do here is to follow aftershocks and follow their development.

Image: AFAD

"Yesterday's earthquake was, again, in the north, and one of the aftershocks was on the main fault and the other was in the north."

"We monitor earthquake activity for 7 days and 24 hours. We also follow the direction of these earthquakes. When there is any extra situation, for example, approaching the main fault...

"We have 450 observation stations. There are many different observation techniques. We're not just making seismology observations."

"Energy is accumulating and will come out"

"Everyone should do their part. We must always keep the reality of the earthquake in a corner of our minds. There are measures that everyone can take.

"We follow earthquakes. We closely follow where earthquake activities are shifting and what they mean. First, we have to recognize that Turkey is an earthquake country. While accepting this fact, we need to not break our psychology.

"The only thing we don't know is the time of the earthquake. Especially for Marmara, many scientists predicted that the next earthquake will take place in Marmara after the 1999 earthquake.

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"The magnitude of the earthquake and when it will or will not occur mustn't be discussed in public. Energy is accumulating and will come out.

"We're approaching an end, but we don't know when it will happen. I can tell you we're getting close to that end, but we can't give [a specific] time.

"It is a scientific fact that the earthquakes in Marmara will be 7 magnitude or over that. There was a 5.7 magnitude earthquake. It is not realistic to say that there is no danger in Marmara. I wish it was that easy. I wish there would be no earthquakes." (AS/VK)