Afət Ziyadqızı
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake was recorded in Karaköprü district of Türkiye’s Şanlıurfa province. According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the tremor occurred at a depth of 7.39 kilometers and was clearly felt in Şanlıurfa and neighboring provinces.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Turkish seismological services and experts provided the information.
Commenting on the earthquake, seismologist Professor Şükrü Ersoy said that although the area is located some distance from the East Anatolian Fault, local faults capable of generating seismic activity are present. The Bozova fault, which extends in a northwest-southeast direction west of the Atatürk Reservoir, is one such structure.
The expert said the length of the fault means the region has the potential to experience earthquakes approaching magnitude 6. Professor Ersoy cautioned against underestimating the magnitude 5.4 tremor, noting the risk of damage, particularly in rural areas and buildings that do not meet engineering standards.
Şükrü Ersoy said the earthquake had a shallow focus and added that if it was an independent event, the strength of subsequent tremors should gradually decrease. In such cases, aftershocks reaching magnitude 4 can be expected. The seismologist said it was impossible to accurately predict whether a larger earthquake would occur in the region and stressed the importance of monitoring the direction in which aftershocks spread.
Professor Ersoy said the earthquake in Şanlıurfa was not a direct continuation of the disaster of Feb. 6, 2023. He said those earthquakes created stress along the East Anatolian Fault, while faults in more distant areas can become active because of their own seismic characteristics. Ersoy emphasized that Türkiye is located in a seismic zone and that hidden faults not visible on maps can become active at any time.
Türkiye is situated in one of the world’s seismically active regions, where several major fault systems intersect. Specialists therefore regularly monitor both known fault lines and smaller local structures to assess earthquake and aftershock risks.
