Tsunami preparations in the Aegean: Personnel manning loudspeakers 24 hours a day

As a result of the seismic activity that intensified in the Aegean Sea as of January 28, many earthquakes occurred. The earthquakes, which were concentrated approximately 25 kilometers northeast of the Greek island of Santorini and whose depths ranged from 5 to 25 kilometers, caused unrest. In this context, a panel titled "Aegean Sea Earthquake Storm and Possible Tsunami Scenarios" was organized in Bodrum regarding the analysis of the latest situations in the region.

In the panel held at the Herodotus Cultural Center, Earth Scientist Prof. Dr. Celal Şengör, Volcanist Prof. Dr. Gonca Kuşcu, former UNESCO North Atlantic and Mediterranean Tsunami Warning System Director, retired faculty member from METU Civil Engineering Department Marine Engineering Research Center Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevdet Yalçıner, Landscape Architect and Urban Planner Prof. Dr. Gülşen Aytaç made scientific presentations and answered questions from the participants.

On the other hand, Bodrum District Governor Mustafa Çit, Bodrum Mayor Tamer Mandalinci, representatives of civil society organizations and many other people attended the panel.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevdet Yalciner

'OUR COASTS ARE SAFE'

Stating that the coasts of Türkiye are safe in the event of a possible tsunami, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevdet Yalçıner said, "Currently, there has been a decrease in the earthquakes in the region, namely in the triangle of Santorini and the surrounding islands, which started 1 month ago and continued. We hope that this decrease will continue. In this case, up until today, all kinds of tsunami studies related to seismic events that may occur in that region or submarine landslides or volcanic eruptions have been modeled, the results have been drawn and shared with our people. Accordingly, we have explained in detail that the tsunami that may affect the Bodrum Peninsula is 1 meter on average, maybe 2 meters in 1-2 points. There is a tsunami event that occurred in 1956. We compared how effective it was in the Bodrum Peninsula after interviews with eyewitnesses. The tsunami event that occurred at that time, which did not cause any deaths and caused little damage to some boats, can be used as an example for us. What happened in this event will not happen even in a tsunami that will occur in the Santorini region. It is like this in the Bodrum Peninsula, as you go north, the coasts of Aydın province and "It will not be effective in any way, especially in the north of Izmir. At the point we have reached, we can say that we are in a safe situation compared to today's situation, but the most important point here is awareness. I think we have increased our awareness. This is the most important development for us. Even the fact that the volcano seems to be moving a little has also activated our sensitivity. We have learned what to do by being aware, not being afraid, not panicking , and being very careful, and that we will move away from the coast when a warning is given," he said.

'WE ARE PREPARED FOR POSSIBLE DISASTERS'

Bodrum Mayor Tamer Mandalinci also said in his statement after the panel that they were prepared for possible disasters.

Because the region has a volcanic name, 'Could the Amargos earthquake in 1950, along with the volcanic eruption 375 years ago and the big earthquake in 1956, cause another big earthquake? Could it trigger it?' Mandalinci, who stated that they received many questions like these, said, "We organized a panel with experts in the field. It was held with the intense participation of our citizens. We received the opinions of our professors on issues such as what would be the reflection of Bodrum if there was a major earthquake in that region, what kind of ash rain and similar situations our region would encounter if there was a volcanic eruption. Our citizens can rest assured. Our Muğla Governorship, AFAD, district governorship and municipality are aware that a possible tsunami will reach this region from a distance of approximately 140 kilometers in at least 55 minutes. AFAD established an early warning system for this, and our municipality has personnel at all loudspeakers on a 24-hour basis. We have established this system with both our megaphones and SMSs to inform against both earthquakes and tsunamis in possible disasters." (DHA)