Atatürk University Earthquake Research Center faculty members, who went to the district to examine the earthquakes that occurred in the Köprüköy district of Erzurum on-site, prepared a report about the process.

According to the information received from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of the Ministry of Interior, after two earthquakes with a magnitude of Mw = 5.2 and 4.7, the epicenter of which was the Köprüköy district of Erzurum on 19 November and 22 November, the Earthquake Research Center team went to the district and conducted various researches in the villages where damage and destruction information was shared. The information obtained as a result of the examinations was made into a report and shared with the public.

Damage and Effects of the Experienced Earthquakes Analyzed

After conducting his research in the field, making an assessment on the subject, Director of the Earthquake Research Center Assoc. Dr. Çağlar ÖZER said that this study aimed to examine and analyze the damage caused by the earthquake and its effects by faculty members from different disciplines and to reveal its possible causes. Stating that they aim to contribute to preventing the repetition of the deficiencies and mistakes identified in this study, Özer said: “Because a large part of our country's lands are under the risk of earthquakes and there are earthquakes that cause destruction and loss of life every two years. As faculty members working on this subject, we need to conduct earthquake-related investigations and research studies on behalf of our country, share the results with the public and universities, learn from mistakes, and make an effort to improve building systems. It is hoped that this study, carried out on behalf of Atatürk University, as a printed example, will constitute a basis for the studies expected to be carried out after the earthquakes that will occur in the future.

Rector Çomaklı: “Our Center Has Taken Its Place on the Field with All Its Possibilities”

Stating that the delegation consisting of experts from Atatürk University on earth sciences, earthquake engineering, reinforced concrete structures, concrete and building materials and soil mechanics went to the area to conduct investigations in the field of earthquakes, Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı, on the other hand, said that the Eastern Anatolia Region is located in the area where the convergence of the Arabian-Eurasian plate occurs, is a seismically active region, and for this reason, devastating big earthquakes have been heard in the media for centuries. Stating that the earthquakes experienced in the last days revived the painful memories of the past in the minds of Turkish people, Çomaklı expressed that the Earthquake Research Center, which continues its work within the university, continues its work without interruption in order to analyze the earthquakes that occurred and to predict the tremors that may occur in the future, and conveyed his wishes to all the people of Erzurum.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE – 23.11.2021