1. Seismic Activity in Western Türkiye

Türkiye sits on active fault lines, including the North Anatolian Fault and the Hellenic Arc, which runs through the Aegean Sea. Earthquakes in Greece can be felt in Izmir, Aydın, Muğla, and Çanakkale, sometimes triggering aftershocks in Türkiye’s fault systems.

2. Risk of Structural Damage

While no major damage has been reported from the Santorini quakes, past events like the 2020 Izmir earthquake (7.0 magnitude) resulted in collapsed buildings and casualties. Authorities remain on high alert.

3. Tsunami Threat

Large earthquakes in the Aegean Sea can generate tsunamis. The 2020 Izmir-Samos earthquake caused a small tsunami in Seferihisar, Türkiye. While the Santorini quakes have not triggered a tsunami, officials continue to monitor the situation.

4. Impact on Tourism

Fears of continued seismic activity may discourage tourists from visiting popular Turkish destinations like Bodrum, Kusadasi, Marmaris, and Çeşme. Local businesses are monitoring the impact.

5. Economic and Trade Disruptions

Seismic events affecting the Aegean Sea can disrupt ferry services and trade between Türkiye and Greece. Damage to ports or transportation infrastructure could slow commerce and tourism.

6. Why is the Sea Receding Along Türkiye’s Aegean Coast?

The recent sea recession observed in Türkiye’s Aegean coastal areas has caused concern, but experts provide the following explanations:

Possible Causes:

• Seafloor Movements: Tectonic shifts can temporarily displace water, causing a retreat or influx.

• Tsunami Indicator? Rapid and large-scale recession can signal an impending tsunami, but the recent changes are not linked to a tsunami threat.

• Tectonic Stress Release: The shifting fault lines under the Aegean Sea may be redistributing pressure.

• Seasonal and Atmospheric Effects: Wind patterns, atmospheric pressure changes, and tides can also contribute to temporary sea level fluctuations.

7. Should People Be Concerned?

• Authorities (AFAD in Türkiye and Greek seismologists) are closely monitoring the situation.

• No tsunami warnings have been issued.

• If a sudden and significant sea retreat occurs, residents should move inland as a precaution.

8. Official Warnings and Safety Advice for Tourists

• Avoid old or abandoned buildings that may not withstand tremors.

• Stay away from clifftop areas and vulnerable ports (such as Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos, and Fira’s Old Port).

• Follow official updates from AFAD and local governments.

• Be cautious in earthquake-prone regions and know emergency evacuation routes.

Conclusion

While the Santorini earthquake swarm has not significantly impacted Türkiye, authorities are maintaining seismic monitoring and tsunami preparedness. The sea recession appears to be seasonal, but officials continue to analyse any links to tectonic activity.

For the latest updates, travelers and residents should rely on official sources like AFAD and the UK Foreign Office.

Authorities urge caution against disinformation

AFAD emphasized the importance of relying on official sources for updates, urging the public to disregard misinformation that may spread on social media. “We kindly ask citizens to follow official sources for accurate information and not to be misled by disinformation,” the agency stated.

The agency confirmed that monitoring efforts remain ongoing, with collaboration between local and international seismic experts to evaluate potential risks.

This article was curated from various news, scientific and disaster management sources.

The post Impact of Aegean Earthquakes on Türkiye and the Recent Sea Recession appeared first on Fethiye Times.

A Disaster of Unimaginable Scale

The earthquakes, centred in Kahramanmaraş, shook 11 Turkish provinces to their core. The initial tremor, recorded at a devastating 7.8 magnitude, lasted over 65 harrowing seconds, swallowing whole neighbourhoods, flattening buildings, and cutting off entire communities. By the time daylight revealed the extent of the destruction, more than 50,000 lives had been lost in Türkiye alone, with thousands more perishing across the border in Syria.

Infrastructure across the region was severely impacted. Bridges collapsed, roads were rendered impassable, and airport runways cracked, delaying vital emergency response efforts. Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that over 53,000 people died, with 107,000 injured, many of them suffering life-altering conditions. Nearly 2 million people were left homeless, with more than 39,000 buildings completely destroyed and another 200,000 severely damaged.

The Ruins of Antakya

Among the worst-hit areas was Antakya, the site of the ancient city of Antioch, once a bustling centre of culture and history. In the blink of an eye, 90% of its buildings crumbled, burying residents under tonnes of rubble. More than 20,000 people perished in Antakya and the surrounding Hatay province, which borders northwestern Syria.

While many tons of debris have been cleared, parts of the city’s historic heart still resemble a war zone. In its place, a sprawling construction site has emerged, with cranes dominating the skyline and a constant haze of dust filling the air as rebuilding efforts continue.

Rebuilding and Recovery

Two years on, the scars of the disaster remain deeply etched in the landscape and in the hearts of those affected. The Turkish government, with assistance from international organisations, has allocated billions of dollars to relief and reconstruction efforts. Despite progress, many survivors continue to struggle with housing shortages, financial hardship, and the lingering trauma of that fateful day.

New earthquake-resistant buildings are rising, but rebuilding entire communities is a slow and painstaking process. While Türkiye has vowed to restore the affected cities, the emotional and economic toll will take generations to heal, even as new housing projects and restoration efforts offer a fresh start for affected residents.

As the country marks the second anniversary of the tragedy, memorial services honour the victims, while survivors and rescue workers reflect on the darkest chapter in Türkiye’s recent history. Their resilience and determination serve as a testament to the strength of a nation striving to rebuild from the rubble.

The Presidency’s Directorate of Communications organized a program to mark the second anniversary of the earthquakes, bringing together 100 national and international journalists. Among them were 50 foreign journalists from 11 countries, including Germany, Iraq, Italy, Azerbaijan, and Bulgaria, to witness the progress and ongoing challenges in three of the most severely impacted cities: Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş and Hatay.

You can read the report by Amez Ahmed here:

Two years later, Türkiye rebuilds quake-hit cities with hope, sadness

Adıyaman: Ongoing Struggles and the Need for Educational Support

Adıyaman suffered immense devastation in the February 6, 2023, earthquakes, with over 5,000 buildings damaged and official figures reporting 8,387 deaths and 17,500 injuries. The province continues to struggle, with education remaining a critical concern. To ensure students can continue their education, ongoing support is needed to rebuild schools, provide educational materials, stable learning environments, and offer psychological assistance to children coping with trauma. NGOs, local communities, and volunteers have made vital contributions, but sustained efforts are essential to securing a future where every child in Adıyaman has access to quality education despite the challenges of post-earthquake recovery.

Ongoing Support: A Lifeline for Türkiye’s Earthquake Recovery

In the wake of the 2023 earthquakes, local communities in Türkiye have shown incredible resilience and solidarity. While government and international aid have been crucial, grassroots efforts have played a vital role in supporting those affected. Local organisations, volunteers, and community leaders have been at the forefront of providing immediate relief, including food, water, and medical assistance, to families in need. Many of these community-based initiatives focus on addressing specific regional challenges, such as distributing school supplies and offering psychosocial support to children. Additionally, local businesses and citizens have contributed by providing shelter, clothes, and essential goods. The strength of these local support networks has helped keep the sense of hope alive and ensured that vulnerable populations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, receive vital aid. These efforts continue to be indispensable as the region works towards long-term recovery.

Bee Harrison and her husband Mehmet have lived in the Fethiye area for over 20 years. Some of you may know them from Sumak Café in Üzümlü. Mehmet’s family originates from, and still lives in, Adıyaman province, which is in the earthquake zone. The following articles are Bee’s account of their journey and stay with family four weeks after the earthquake, as well as reflections on the children affected by the earthquakes, one year on.

Özlem Warren, the author of Ozlem’s Turkish Table, whose hometown of Antakya was devastated by the earthquakes, donates the proceeds from the sales of her book in Türkiye to the cause. The book is available at Sumak Café, Üzümlü. All proceeds will be donated to help the children of Southeastern Türkiye.

If you live in Türkiye and wish to help by purchasing the book, or by making a donation, please contact Bee at:

info@esssnenceofturkey.com, 

https://www.instagram.com/blossomhill_uzumlu

We look forward to hearing from you and would like to thank all of you who have donated so far, contributing to the care of the children.

The post Two Years On: Türkiye Rebuilds After Devastating 2023 Earthquakes appeared first on Fethiye Times.

The magnitude  7.8 earthquake was the strongest to occur in Türkiye since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake of the same magnitude, causing widespread damage in an area of about 350,000 km² (140,000 sq mi) (around 12 times the size of Belgium). 

As of 4 March 2023, more than 52,700 deaths were confirmed: more than 45,900 in Türkiye, more than 6,700 in Syria, and more than 108,000 have been injured.

It is the deadliest earthquake in Türkiye since the 526 Antioch earthquake and the deadliest in Syria since the 1822 Aleppo earthquake. It is the deadliest natural disaster in Türkiye’s modern history.

An estimated 14 million people, or 16 percent of Türkiye’s population, were affected. and an estimated 1.5 million people were left homeless. – Source: Wikipedia

Why this happened here

This area of Turkey is prone to earthquakes as it lies at the intersection of three of the tectonic plates that make up the Earth’s crust: the Anatolian, Arabian and African plates. Arabia is moving northwards into Europe, causing the Anatolian plate (which Turkey sits on) to be pushed out westwards.

The movement of the tectonic plates builds up pressure on fault zones at their boundaries. It is the sudden release of this pressure that causes earthquakes and ground shaking.

You can read more here: Turkey-Syria earthquakes: a seismologist explains what has happened

Fethiye, a small coastal town-population 3,000

Fethiye was a small coastal town in 1957 with a population of around 3,000.  This quiet world abruptly changed on the evening of 24 April 1957 when, following a series of earth tremors, residents were told to leave their homes and not return. 

As a result, when a 6.2 quake hit the town at 21:17 followed by a 7.1 quake at 04:28 on 25th April, there was far less loss of life than would have otherwise resulted. The earthquake destroyed many buildings, but as a result of the foresight of Fethiye’s governor, Kamil Nezih Okuş, only 19 people were killed.

The following photographs were taken by the official photographer from HMS Dainty, a British Royal Navy D-Class destroyer which arrived from its base in Cyprus three days after the quake, bringing tents, blankets, water purification tablets and medical supplies.

Fethiye municipality uses the collection of photographs from time to time as part of an informative programme to reinforce the importance of being prepared, should there be another earthquake.

AKUT – be prepared for earthquakes

In 1995, an unsuccessful search for two university students lost in the Bolkar mountains prompted a small group of professional mountaineers to establish AKUT Search and Rescue Association (Turkish: AKUT Arama Kurtarma Derneği).  Realising the earthquake risk in Turkey, they completed additional training and are now a pivotal player in raising awareness in preparation for emergencies. All members of the AKUT team are volunteers; the Turkish government officially declared AKUT as an “NGO working for public benefit” in 1999. 

AKUT gained classification by the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group in 2011 and is one of only three organisations in Turkey that has INSARAG classification.

An earthquake can happen at any time and usually comes without warning. By preparing yourself and your family before an earthquake happens, you can minimize the risk of injury and damage to your home. 

AKUT: What to do before an earthquake

Make sure that the building where you live or work has been inspected to ensure that it meets the appropriate building standards.

Make sure that your property and personal items are insured against any loss, resulting from an earthquake.

Identify safe places in your household, children’s school, workplace and any other location where you frequently spend time.

Identify a safe meeting point with your family should you be separated when an earthquake occurs. This could be the local school gymnasium or a basketball court in your local neighbourhood.

Make an emergency plan, which includes the meeting points, and have a regular “drill”, so you all know what you need to do if an emergency occurs.

Make sure that you know how to switch off your utilities. They should be switched off in this order – gas, electricity, and water. However, if there is any smell of gas, do not touch the electrical supply and leave the property promptly.

Make sure that you secure any items that may topple over. This includes objects such as tall bookcases or cabinets and gas bottles. Don’t hang heavy pictures or mirrors above the bed.

Make sure that any chemicals are adequately stored.

Prepare an emergency bag. This should include the following items:

Must-Have Items

• Drinking water
• Non-perishable food
• First aid kit

Advised

• A radio
• A torch
• Spare batteries
• Battery charging pack
• Cash
• A notebook and pen
• A whistle
• Important documents, such as insurance papers and title deeds
• Passport or ID
• A phone book, containing important numbers

Personal Items

• A blanket
• Any prescribed medication, such as blood pressure medication or insulin
• Baby food, feeding bottle, nappies
• Any other personal items that are needed by you or your family

Keep a pair of footwear, a torch and your mobile phone by your bed.

You can reach all emergency services by dialling 112

What to do during an earthquake

If you find yourself in an earthquake, remember to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck with your arms, and seek shelter under a sturdy table or desk. Hold on until the shaking stops. If you’re outside, move away from buildings, trees, and power lines, then drop and cover.

What to do after an earthquake

Once the shaking stops, stay calm and check for injuries. If you’re indoors, be cautious when exiting, as aftershocks can cause additional damage. If you’re near the coast, be aware of the potential for tsunamis and move to higher ground if necessary.

You will most likely receive alerts from AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management) advising you of the next steps to take. It’s advisable to keep phone lines open for emergency services and instead send a message to friends and family. 

Other resources

Earthquake Safety in Turkey: What Every Prospective Traveler Should Know

Be Prepared: Household Earthquake Safety Tips and Helpful Home Modifications to Consider

Article updated on Tuesday 3rd June, 2025

The post Living with earthquakes appeared first on Fethiye Times.