Fethiye's earthquake and tsunami risk and what needs to be done to prepare for the earthquake were evaluated by experts at the Fethiye Earthquake Panel organized by Fethiye District Governorship, Fethiye Municipality, Fethiye Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FTSO) and Fethiye Local Seeds Association.
Fethiye Earthquake Panel, organized by Fethiye District Governorship, Fethiye Municipality, Fethiye Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FTSO) and Fethiye Local Seeds Association, was held on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Martyr Sümer Deniz Kız Anadolu İmam Hatip High School Conference Hall. Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca, Deputy Mayor Oğuz Bolelli, FTSO Assembly President Kemal Hıra, Chairman of the Board Osman Çıralı, İŞKUR Fethiye Director Şükrü Özdoğan, Vice Presidents Ramazan Dim and Muhammet Kökten, Board members Veli Önver, Emre Başaran, Fethiye Municipality. Cultural and Social Affairs Manager Halime Ok, FTSO Secretary General Ezgi Kullukçu, AKUT Fethiye Team, MAG AME Fethiye Team, representatives of non-governmental organizations and many citizens attended.
In the panel where the public participated heavily, the ground structure of Fethiye and how prepared it is for a possible earthquake disaster, Yıldız Technical University (YTU) Faculty of Civil Engineering Dean and earthquake expert Prof. Dr. Şükrü Ersoy, Japanese Earthquake Expert and Architectural Designer Yoshinori Moriwaki, and Social Disaster Association President Rezzak Elazat's presentations and statements.
Making the opening speech of the panel, FTSO Chairman of the Board Osman Çıralı pointed out that Fethiye is located in the first degree earthquake zone and that it should be prepared for an earthquake, “We should be prepared for an earthquake according to the worst scenario. For this, we need to make up for our shortcomings immediately.” said. Çıralı said, “For this reason, we, as the Chamber, organized an earthquake panel with the cooperation of our Fethiye District Governorship, Fethiye Municipality and Fethiye Local Seeds Association. We would like to thank our teachers who will enlighten us with their wisdom in our panel, where different aspects of the earthquake risk of our region will be discussed, for not breaking our invitation and coming.” he said. Mayor Çıralı also thanked the Fethiye Mayor, who included the AKUT Fethiye Team and the neighborhood search and rescue volunteers (MAG), for this sensitivity.
In the panel, Dean of Faculty of Civil Engineering, Head of YTU Natural Sciences Research Center, Professor of Geology Şükrü Ersoy made a presentation on Fethiye Earthquake and Tsunami Hazard, in which he evaluated a possible earthquake scenario in Fethiye. Emphasizing that it has been 1999 years since the Gölcük earthquake disaster in 24, Prof. Dr. Şükrü Ersoy emphasized that the sufferings were forgotten very quickly and it was too late to take the necessary measures. Explaining that he gave a conference in Hatay a month before the earthquakes on February 6, 2023 and drew attention to the danger.
prof. Dr. Ersoy said, “They criticized me for scaring the public, but unfortunately, an earthquake disaster occurred a month later. The ground shifted 65 meters in 4 seconds. We do not learn from history. As scientists in Türkiye, we are aware of the risk and danger. As scientists, we warn, but unfortunately, decision makers need to take this seriously. We quickly forget the pain experienced in earthquakes and do not take the necessary measures.” he said. Giving information about the world earthquake belts in his presentation, Prof. Dr. Şükrü Ersoy pointed out that Turkey is at a place where the continents converge, and therefore earthquakes will continue.
Earthquakes don't kill buildings and floors
Giving detailed information about the fault lines of Western Anatolia and Southwestern Anatolia in his presentation, Prof. Dr. Pointing out that there is a pit with a depth of 4.500 meters in the sea off Crete, Ersoy stated that this region can produce earthquakes of more than 8 or even 9 magnitudes, and that there is a risk of tsunami formation due to this large pit. Ersoy noted that an earthquake of this magnitude could also activate the volcanoes in the southern Aegean. Ersoy continued:
“They say that earthquakes don't kill, buildings do. I want to add that the ground also kills them. If we do not build buildings suitable for the ground, no matter how strong the building is, it will still collapse, and even if it does not collapse, it will lie on its side. We saw many examples of this in the Hatay earthquake. The ground is loose especially in the coastal areas of Fethiye, Dalyan and Köyceğiz. Liquefaction is very high in these regions. For this reason, the building stock should be at peace with the ground. Buildings must be strengthened or demolished and rebuilt. Because earthquake waves get bigger on loose ground and buildings collapse. In order to be prepared for an earthquake, first of all, buildings must be prepared for earthquakes.”
prof. Dr. After his speech, Şükrü Ersoy answered the questions of the participants.
Japanese earthquake expert drew attention to the differences
Speaking later in the panel, Yoshinori Moriwaki, Master Architect and Civil Engineer, explained the differences between Turkey and Japan in terms of earthquake prevention systems and structures and constructions. Yoshinori Moriwaki, pointing out that the strongest earthquake in Turkey in terms of magnitude was 7.9, and that there was an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.9 in Japan, gave the information that Turkey is in the third place and Japan is in the seventh place in terms of loss of life. Yoshinori Moriwaki said that during an earthquake in Japan, people took shelter in buildings because they were safer, whereas in Turkey, on the contrary, people ran away from buildings. After his presentation, Moriwaki answered the questions from the participants.
Speaking at the end of the panel, Social Disaster Platform Chairman, Disaster Instructor Rezzak Elazat also conveyed information to the participants about disaster awareness and awareness, preventive measures to be taken before and after the earthquake, and protection methods during the earthquake.
The panel ended with the presentation of the gifts prepared by the Fethiye Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the panelists and a group photo shoot.