A reassuring news for Alanya: "Earthquake waves pass quickly"
At the “Earthquake Potential of the Alanya Region” program held at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University (ALKÜ), experts provided important information about the earthquake potential of Alanya and Turkey.
Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University continues to hold informative programs that are scientifically significant and relevant to society. In light of Turkey's location in an earthquake zone and the anniversary of the 6 February Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, the ALKÜ Health Students Community organized the “Earthquake Potential of the Alanya Region” program. Professors such as Prof. Dr. Şükrü Ersoy, Faculty Member of the Civil Engineering Department at Yıldız Technical University and Director of the Natural Sciences Research Center, Antalya Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management Director Necmi Erçin, and Expert Selim Altınarık from the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate participated as speakers, addressing important issues concerning Alanya, Antalya, and Turkey. The event took place at the Alev Alatlı Conference Hall in the ALKÜ Rectorate Building and was attended by ALKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Kenan Ahmet Türkdoğan, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kılıç, Prof. Dr. Atıf Bayramoğlu, General Secretary Onur Ocakdan, deans, directors of vocational colleges, academics, and students.
We must always be prepared for disasters. Starting his speech by stating that February 6 was a great disaster, ALKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Kenan Ahmet Türkdoğan emphasized the importance of being prepared for earthquakes and all types of disasters in the country. He pointed out that just like everyday tasks, preparation for disasters should be integrated into life. “We should never forget that our country is an earthquake-prone country and adjust our lives accordingly. We must prepare for every moment as though a disaster will happen,” he said.
Earthquake waves pass quickly in Alanya because it is rocky terrain. Prof. Dr. Şükrü Ersoy shared information about Turkey’s earthquake map, underlining that earthquakes can occur anywhere in the country. He stated that the largest earthquake in Turkey could be a magnitude 8. “When we study the history of earthquakes in Turkey, no place is exempt. The earthquake on February 6 is not a normal one; it’s a super-slip earthquake and a great disaster. There are two active tectonic faults in Antalya, but we don't know whether they are active, and no earthquakes have occurred along these faults in recent centuries. In the east of Antalya, earthquake intervals could be longer. Earthquakes in the Antalya region generally occur at sea. The type of ground is just as important as the earthquake. Alluvial soil is far more dangerous than rocky soil. Earthquake waves pass quickly over rocky ground without causing significant damage. Alanya has a firm ground due to its abundant limestone, and the earthquake waves pass quickly without hesitation. The truly dangerous areas are the alluvial soils where earthquake waves get stuck. We must always be prepared for earthquakes, and it’s crucial to have emergency kits and secure belongings,” he explained.
An Earthquake Intervention Station is being established in Alanya. Necmi Erçin, Director of Antalya Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management, provided information about the disasters in Antalya and Alanya, stating that forest fires are the most frequent disasters. He also emphasized the need to always be prepared for risks, stating that Alanya is a high-risk area for earthquakes, meteorological disasters, forest fires, and floods. He highlighted that there are some faults in the western part of the city, and recently an earthquake occurred very close to Alanya Castle. "Although it may seem that Alanya has a low risk of earthquakes, historically places like Patara and Telmessos were abandoned due to earthquakes. We are not exempt from earthquakes in Antalya, and we need to always prepare for them,” Erçin said. He also mentioned that there would be efforts to increase the resistance of forest villages to fires. Plans for Alanya’s disaster response have been expanded, and a disaster inventory guide has been prepared. “Our goal is to have a fully developed disaster intervention plan in our district. We are working with the District Governor’s Office and the Municipality on this,” he added. “An Earthquake Intervention Station will be established in Alanya to reduce the time loss caused by interventions coming from Antalya.”
Selim Altınarık from the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate talked about the importance of being prepared for disasters in detail. He stressed that Turkey is a country prone to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, fires, and landslides, and emphasized that everyone must be prepared and educated for these events.
The conference continued with participants asking the experts questions. It ended with the presentation of gifts and certificates of appreciation to the speakers by Rector Türkdoğan. After the conference, a memorial service was held at the Abdurrahman and Nimet Alaattinoğlu Mosque in honor of ALKÜ students, staff members, and citizens who lost their lives in the February 6 earthquakes, as well as for Prof. Dr. Kenan Taştan, a faculty member of the ALKÜ Medical Faculty, who recently passed away.
