Earthquakes in İzmir
İzmir, Turkey's third largest city with 4.3 million people, was struck by a devastating M7.0 earthquake in October 2020 that killed 117 people and collapsed 17 buildings. The earthquake and resulting tsunami waves demonstrated the severe seismic hazard facing this Aegean port city.
Why Does İzmir Face Earthquake Risk?
İzmir sits in the seismically active Aegean extensional province where multiple active normal faults cross the region. The Aegean Sea is one of Europe's most seismically active areas. The 2020 earthquake occurred on the Samos-Kaystrios Fault, and multiple other active fault systems threaten the Izmir metropolitan area.
Active Fault Systems
- Samos-Kaystrios Fault
- Gediz Graben Faults
- Gulf of Izmir Faults
Safety Advice
İzmir Prefecture maintains detailed earthquake hazard maps. Many of the 2020 earthquake fatalities occurred in a small number of high-rise apartment buildings with structural deficiencies. Knowing your building's seismic rating is important.
Historical Earthquake Context
Izmir has a history of devastating earthquakes stretching back to antiquity. Major events struck in 1688, 1778, and 1880. The modern earthquake of October 30, 2020 killed 117 people and injured over 1,000, becoming the deadliest earthquake to directly strike Izmir in modern history.
Significant Earthquakes Near İzmir
| Year | Magnitude | Event | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | M7.0 | Turkey / Greece | 117 |
Fault Maps & Tectonic Setting
Tectonic and seismic hazard maps from Wikimedia Commons, USGS, and NASA — open licenses (CC / Public Domain)
Maps sourced from Wikimedia Commons, USGS, and NASA under open licenses. Attribution required where specified. Click any map to enlarge.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the 2020 Izmir earthquake?
The October 30, 2020 earthquake was caused by a normal fault rupture on the Samos-Kaystrios Fault in the Aegean Sea between Izmir, Turkey and Samos, Greece. It measured M7.0 and generated a localized tsunami that reached İzmir's Seferihisar coast.
Is Izmir at risk from another major earthquake?
Yes. Multiple active fault systems surround İzmir, and the city sits in one of Europe's most seismically active regions. Seismologists consider İzmir to have a high probability of experiencing damaging earthquakes in the future.
How seismically active is Izmir?
Izmir and the wider Aegean region experience dozens of felt earthquakes per year from normal faulting as the Anatolian plate moves westward. Most are minor, but the region produces a M6.0+ earthquake every few years. The 2020 Samos earthquake (M7.0) killed 117 people in Izmir, showing the city's ongoing vulnerability.
What should I do during an earthquake in Izmir?
Drop, Cover, and Hold On under a sturdy table or against an interior wall away from windows. After shaking stops, exit carefully and move away from damaged structures. If near the Aegean coast and shaking was intense, move uphill immediately in case of a local tsunami.
Where can I see live earthquake data for Izmir?
Track earthquakes near Izmir on the Earthquake Globe app or at earthquakes.site/map?country=turkey. Turkey's AFAD (deprem.afad.gov.tr) provides official real-time Aegean data. Kandilli Observatory at koeri.boun.edu.tr also publishes regional earthquake bulletins.
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