News

EXPERTS GATHER IN BODRUM FOR CRITICAL EARTHQUAKE PANEL

26.02.2025

Organized by the Municipality, the Earthquake Panel, featuring expert scientists in the field, attracted a large audience at the Herodotos Cultural Center (Herodot Kültür Merkezi) on February 25. The panel, titled "Aegean Sea Earthquake Swarm, Potential Volcanic & Tsunami Scenarios", provided valuable insights from experts to an engaged public.

The event was attended by the District Governor Mustafa Çit of Bodrum, Mayor Tamer Mandalinci, Bodrum Garrison Commander Colonel Ertan Benli, District Police Chief Mehmet Darendeli, CHP Bodrum District Chair Tuna Işın, municipal officials, municipal council members, representatives from institutions and NGOs, members of the press, teachers, students and residents of Bodrum.

“We Are Taking the Right Steps in the Light of Science”

In his opening speech, Mayor Mandalinci emphasized the significance of the panel, stating:

"This panel is crucial in ensuring that we take the right steps in the light of science and inform and raise awareness among our citizens. Over the past month, earthquake swarms in the Aegean Sea and the potential volcanic eruption-triggered tsunami waves pose risks to our region. This panel serves as a roadmap for enhancing earthquake awareness in our community."

Mayor Mandalinci further highlighted the municipality’s collaboration with the Chamber of Civil Engineers to assess structural inventories and improve disaster preparedness. Mandalinci noted:

“With the recent seismic activity, the municipal teams are deployed 24/7 across all districts. AFAD (Disaster & Emergency Management Presidency) has established an early warning system in Turgutreis. As local administrators, we work with scientists to minimize earthquake risks, strengthen building stocks and ensure our preparedness so that when disaster strikes, we can confidently say: 'We are ready, we are aware, and we have a plan.’”

District Governor Mustafa Çit also stressed the cooperation between local government, AFAD, NGOs and scientific experts in preparing for potential earthquake scenarios.

Experts Discuss Earthquake, Volcanic & Tsunami Risks

The first session of the panel began with presentations by Taner Uslu, Bodrum Representative of the Chamber of Geophysical Engineers and Metin Soylu, Bodrum Representative of the Chamber of Civil Engineers. They provided insights into Bodrum’s geological structure, past earthquakes and the importance of earthquake-resistant construction. They underscored that earthquakes are natural events, but disasters arise from weak structures and lack of regulation.

Renowned geoscientist Prof. Dr. Celal Şengör delivered a presentation titled "Amorgos Island – Anhydros Basin Earthquake Swarm", discussing seismic activity between Santorini and Amorgos and explaining earthquake swarms caused by volcanic and subsurface fluid movements.

Volcanologist Prof. Dr. Gonca Kuşcu followed with a talk on "Volcanic Hazard & Risk" detailing potential volcanic threats and active volcanoes in Türkiye and neighboring regions.

International tsunami expert Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevdet Yalçıner examined "The Aegean Sea Earthquake Swarm of January-February 2025 and Possible Tsunami Scenarios”. Civil engineer Tarık Eray Çakır then shared historical accounts of the impact of the 1956 South Aegean tsunami on the Bodrum Peninsula.

The second session featured landscape architect and urban planner Prof. Dr. Gülşen Aytaç, who presented "Resilient Gathering Spaces", discussing the design of post-disaster assembly areas and temporary shelters.

The panel concluded with a Q&A session, where experts addressed public inquiries, followed by a plaque and flower presentation.