Dokuz Eylül Earthquake Research Has Accelerated on Land and Sea. Tsunami Risk Analysis is Being Made

DEU, which published comprehensive reports on earthquakes in the light of scientific methods in 2023, will continue its research on earthquakes in different disciplines, both on land and at sea, in 2024. Pointing out that Turkey is a country located in the earthquake zone, Dokuz Eylül University Rector Prof. Dr. Nükhet Hotar said, “Our country has experienced great pain due to earthquakes in the past. Turkey is a country that is familiar with earthquakes and lives with them. When an earthquake is inevitable, the most logical thing to do is to take precautions under the guidance of science. As an institution, we mobilize all the opportunities offered by our state to prevent such great suffering from recurring and we work for this purpose. "As the DEU family, we prioritize our research on earthquakes, produce scientific data and develop new projects to prevent these disasters and losses from happening again," he said.

EARTHQUAKE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED

Stating that the basis of earthquake-related studies is the idea of ​​being cautious and prepared, DEU Earthquake Application and Research Center (DAUM) Deputy Director Assoc. Dr. Ökmen Sümer said, “Based on this idea, our University, within the scope of Scientific Research Projects (BAP); "It developed the Earthquake Early Warning System (DEUSİS) for Izmir with its own resources," he said. Talking about the purpose of the project, Sümer said: “We wanted to establish an earthquake early warning system for Izmir province and we achieved it. Thanks to DEUSIS, large ground movements can be detected 5-60 seconds in advance. Earthquake early warning systems do not basically make an earthquake prediction, but make more accurate determinations about the magnitude and focus of the earthquake with the help of analysis of the preliminary vibrations recorded after the earthquake occurs. Thus, thanks to DEUSIS, various precautions can be taken for the safety of cities and large industrial facilities before major ground movements, and it is aimed to reduce the loss of life and property that may occur during an earthquake.” he said.

TSUNAMI RISK ANALYSIS IS BEING DONE

Assoc. Prof. stated that the flood and tsunami events after the Samos Earthquake on October 30, 2020 inspired the 'Izmir Bay Tsunami Risk Analysis Project'. Dr. Sümer shared the information: "Our project, which we developed with the own resources of our University, contributes to the investigation of the tsunami potential of the faults originating from the Gulf of Izmir, the determination of wave heights due to the maximum pulses they can produce, and the effect of tsunami waves on the bays along the Gulf coastline."

Assoc. Prof. stated that the project will provide very important data for the Tsunami Action Plan within the scope of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Plan (IRAP) for Izmir. Dr. Sümer said that with the information obtained from this project, flood maps and scenarios of Izmir Inner-Outer Gulf being affected by an earthquake-induced tsunami can be created.