As part of the studies supported by TÜBİTAK and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, experts continue to examine the Malatya fault in detail in Malatya, where the February 6 earthquakes caused severe damage. In the studies carried out in Malatya after the disaster of the century, the team led by Geologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cengiz Zabcı and Geologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taylan Sançar from the Department of Geological Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) continues their work with technological devices in the rural area of the Arguvan district of Malatya.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zabcı, who reported the studies to the press, stated that they conducted a detailed study on the seismicity of the Malatya fault and said, “We anticipate that the studies we have conducted on the Malatya fault will last approximately 3 years. Thanks to these studies “We aim to obtain more solid data on the Malatya fault and contribute to the steps taken in earthquake-resistant urbanization in the region.”
Responding to questions about the Yedisu Fault, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zabcı emphasized that there are still many unknowns about the dynamic structure of the fault lines from a scientific perspective, and said, “We continue our work to understand the dynamic interactions between the Malatya fault and other fault lines. We aim to determine possible risks in “the future by examining the past activities of the fault lines.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zabcı also stated that the Pazarcık earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023 caused a wide surface rupture in Anatolia, and that this situation could also have an effect on other fault lines. He said that the studies carried out on the Malatya fault will contribute to a better understanding of the region in terms of earthquake risk.
Statements from Yunus Gülmez, Chairman of the Malatya Branch of the Chamber of Geological Engineers, about the Malatya Fault Research Studies
Yunus Gülmez, the Chairman of the Malatya Branch of the Chamber of Geological Engineers, shared the details of the research studies carried out in Malatya and said, “The studies carried out in Malatya will reveal the details of the previous studies. After these comprehensive studies, the earthquake risk of the region will be determined more clearly.”
Gülmez stated that the studies will continue until September and that paleoseismological and excavation studies will be carried out after the reporting process. He emphasized that the studies conducted in Malatya are of critical importance in terms of the earthquake risk of the region.
