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After the 5.6 Richter earthquake in Malatya, expert reports bring back concerns for Bingöl and Erzincan
A report prepared about five years ago by the Chamber of Geological Engineers of Turkey (JMO) has come back into focus after the 5.6-magnitude earthquake in the Yedisu rift zone in Malatya. According to CNN Turk, the report warns that earthquakes of up to 8 magnitude could occur in the Bingöl and Erzincan regions, with serious consequences for the population.
Following the recent tremors, attention has focused on the Yedisu segment of the North Anatolian Fault (NAF), which lies between Erzincan and Bingöl. Experts estimate that a strong earthquake in this area could also be felt in surrounding provinces, including Tunceli, Erzurum, Elazığ, Muş and Diyarbakır.
In the series of reports published by the JMO in 2021 titled "Our Cities Live on Cracks," experts raised concerns about 24 provinces in Turkey, including Erzincan and Bingöl.
The report on Erzincan notes that the city lies on the North Anatolian Rift, considered one of the most active faults in the world. According to experts, the alluvial composition of the soil strengthens seismic waves before they reach buildings, increasing the risk of major damage.
"The city center of Erzincan, with about 160 thousand inhabitants, is one of the provinces where an active fault passes directly under residential areas. Since it has been hit by earthquakes close to 8 points in the past, there is a possibility that similar events will occur again in the future," the report says.
Bingöl is also considered among the provinces with the highest seismic risk in Turkey. The report emphasizes that construction on fault lines poses a serious threat and that urban expansion in these areas must be stopped to avoid major losses.
"Since 1900, Bingöl has experienced many earthquakes with serious consequences for people. However, it is known that the city center, Karlıova and Yedisu areas, as well as 36 other settlements, are located directly on active faults. The construction of new residential areas in these territories poses a clear risk," the experts' assessment states.
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