Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, which started the most comprehensive earthquake research and risk reduction projects in Turkey, continues the ground research together with the seismicity and building inventory studies in which the faults are examined. Minister Tunç Soyerexamined the drilling works carried out to determine the soil characteristics of the Bornova Plain and its surroundings. Soyer said, “The studies will reveal results that will shed light on Turkey as well as the future structuring of this city.”
Earthquake research and risk reduction projects initiated by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality to ensure that the city is affected by possible disasters with the least damage and to determine areas suitable for safe construction are continuing. While the seismicity research and building inventory study, which examines the faults on land and sea, continue, the ground research started in Bornova continues rapidly.
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyerexamined the studies carried out for modeling soil structure and soil behavior characteristics on site. President Soyer, who received information about the drilling works carried out in Bornova Kazım Dirik District, said, “The ongoing studies to determine the soil properties of the Bornova Plain and its surroundings are exciting. At the end of all these studies, an exemplary application, a model will emerge for Turkey. Here, a drilling going down to approximately 300 meters is being made. These boreholes will enable us to understand how liquefaction and earthquakes have affected and how it will have consequences for the region. Thus, we will have access to very valuable information for city planning. And with what kind of construction a city can be built, where to continue construction, where to avoid, these will be determined based on scientific data," he said.
“We just have to be proud”
President Soyer thanked those who took part in the project and said, “I believe that we will successfully conclude the project, which is currently 70 percent completed. Thus, we will have completed an extremely valuable work not only for us but also for Turkey. There will be results that will shed light on the future structuring of this city and Turkey. We just have to be proud," he said.
“The first study in Turkey”
METU Geological Engineering Department Lecturer Prof. Dr. Tamer Topal was also the President for the project, which he described as a very important and great work. Tunç SoyerHe thanked. Pointing out that the study is costly, Tamer Topal said, “Hundreds and thousands of samples are taken within the scope of the project. These are being tested. Experiments are also carried out inside the wells. The resulting samples are described in detail. We study the Bornova basin in great detail. We examine in detail how different parts of this basin behave when an earthquake occurs. This will be the first study conducted in Turkey,” he said.
“Izmir will become resistant to many natural disasters”
Project coordinator, Head of METU Geological Engineering Department Prof. Dr. Erdin Bozkurt said, “There are 10 work packages in the project. An exemplary project that deals with the earthquake in every aspect. In this area, known as the Bornova basin, it is very important how the ground will behave during an earthquake. Based on the examples of the February 6 earthquake, we learned how important the characteristics of the ground and the building stock on it are, and why the earthquake turned into a disaster. This work is very valuable in order for İzmir to become resistant not only to earthquakes but also to other natural disasters. First of all, we set out with reason and science. We continue on our way with reason and science," he said.
“It should be increased across Turkey”
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty Member Geophysics Engineer Prof. Dr. Aydın Büyüksaraç also stated that the ground conditions in Bornova are quite bad and said, “Earthquake regulations in Turkey are quite advanced. However, all of these regulations define the first 30 meters of the city or settlements. However, in basin-based settlements, it is necessary to go deeper. The basis or the most important feature of this study is based on the consideration of the basin as a whole. Intense, seismic and microgravity measurements are made in areas of 200 square meters. Drilling is underway in each of them. Thus, we will consider the basin as a whole and perform its modeling. Because the earthquake is a deep-rooted effect and the results obtained from the first 30 meters, especially on loose soils, do not represent the basin. Such studies need to be increased throughout Turkey. An exemplary work. It will probably be reflected in the next regulations in the form of basin-based studies. It is extremely important for İzmir to lead the way in this regard.”
The city center will be completed in 4 stages
Within the scope of soil research, 10 geotechnical deep drilling wells have been drilled so far in Bornova. It is planned to drill similar drilling wells in 7 different regions. When the works are completed, the suitability for settlement will be evaluated by considering all kinds of disaster hazards and risks in the district.
Defined as Bornova Basin within the scope of the project BayraklıMicrozonation survey work will be completed in a total area of 12 thousand hectares within the borders of Bornova and Konak. The city center will be completed in 4 stages. After the Bornova Basin Karşıyaka-Microzonation studies are planned to be carried out in Çiğli, Balçova-Narlıdere-Guzelbahçe and Karabağlar-Buca-Gaziemir.