Earthquake in Istanbul: Turkish Scientists Disagree on Whether 6.2 Magnitude is a Precursor to a Larger Shock

Turkish scientists are divided over the seismic activity following the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck on April 23rd near Istanbul and the Marmara Sea. Prominent seismologist Naci Göçeroğlu and others suggest this tremor could be a precursor to a major earthquake of around 7.2 magnitude, potentially releasing ten times more energy than the recent quake. The North Anatolian Fault segment passing through the Marmara Sea has three sections: the eastern part caused a massive 7.4 quake in 1999, the western part triggered a similar event in 1912, and the central section was responsible for the April 23rd quake. Some experts warn that the fault line hasn’t fully ruptured yet, increasing the risk of another significant earthquake. Meanwhile, other seismologists like Professor Şener Özöğüzcü argue that the 6.2 quake relieved pent-up energy accumulated over 250 years, reducing the likelihood of a larger quake soon. This debate continues as residents remain anxious about future seismic activity.