E. Lekkas about the earthquake in Turkey: "This fault produced a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in 1999". How is it connected to Greece?

Speaking to ERT about today’s magnitude 5.2 earthquake in Turkey, OASP President E. Lekkas said it was of particular significance for the Istanbul Fault and he was concerned that it could lead to a much larger earthquake.

It is worth noting that in 1999, a strong Turkish earthquake in the same area where it occurred today was followed by a deadly earthquake in Greece, and more precisely in the Parnitha area *, which “rolled” through the northern suburbs and beyond, leading to death 143 people and to numerous destructions.

“In fact, the concern is growing because we are dealing with a small earthquake of magnitude 5.2, superficial, but this earthquake did not occur on the Istanbul fault, but on a parallel one, which begins in Ismit and passes through Prusa. This fault was the site of a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 in 1999, and then a magnitude of 6.8. – he explained. – This earthquake is located at a nodal point. That is, it is located on a branch of the fault, which this time ruptured about 20 minutes ago, produced an earthquake of magnitude 5.2 and, in fact, shows that the fault is now ripe for rupture.”

He further clarified: “Today’s earthquake in Turkey is of particular significance, mainly for the Istanbul fault, and not for Greece. There should be an earthquake in Istanbul and then we will have to assess whether the Greek area will be affected as it was in 1999. We have a long way to go. This does not mean that every earthquake that occurs near Istanbul, on the western part of the Anatolian Rift, will affect Greece.”

It affected Greece in 1999, but it had its own characteristics. “When the Istanbul Fault is activated, then we will see its characteristics to understand whether it will affect Greece or not,” – he said. According to him, the Istanbul fault will definitely be activated, but we don’t know when. “But while this lasts, the earthquake will be stronger,” he added.

“We cannot yet assess whether this will be a major earthquake or not. It will take several hours. An earthquake, a fault south of Istanbul and a large 7.0 magnitude earthquake will definitely have an impact on most of Istanbul and of course the Istanbul monuments. Over the 1500 years of its history as a temple-symbol of Orthodoxy, Hagia Sophia has experienced the devastation of time, it has been exposed to everything that has happened to it and therefore has increased vulnerability. We cannot say what damage will develop and to what extent.”said Lekkas.

As he explained, details, studies and surveys are still being carried out, and it is estimated that a magnitude 7 earthquake in Istanbul will essentially cause the collapse of 100,000 buildings.

The memorable earthquake, magnitude 6.0, occurred on September 7, 1999 at 14:56:50 local time and lasted about 15 seconds. The epicenter was located approximately 17 km northwest of the center of Athens, in a sparsely populated area between Menidi (Acharne) and Parnifa National Park.

The proximity of the epicenter to the Athens metropolitan area resulted in widespread structural damage, mainly in the localities of Ano Llosia, Acharne, Fili and Thrakomakedones, as well as in the northern Athens suburbs of Kifissia, Metamorfosi, Kamatheron and Nea Philadelphia.

More than 100 buildings (including three large factories) in these areas were completely destroyed, burying people under their rubble, and dozens more buildings were seriously damaged. A total of 143 people were killed and more than 2,000 were injured, making it the country’s deadliest earthquake in nearly half a century.

The earthquake took Greek seismologists by surprise because it occurred from a previously unknown cause in an area long thought to have low seismic hazard. The highest recorded maximum surface acceleration was 0.3 g, 15 km from the epicenter, with an estimated acceleration of 0.6 g at the epicenter.

Source link