March 1-7 Earthquake Week

Dr. Hilmi Dindar,  lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering of Cyprus International University (CIU), on the occasion of the Earthquake Week, presented a comprehensive assessment of the seismic structure of Cyprus and significant earthquake activity in the last century.

In his assessment, Dr. Dindar emphasized the unique geological location of Cyprus, saying, "The island of Cyprus that we live on is located in a subduction zone where three tectonic plates intersect. However, 16% of the earthquakes on our planet occur on the Alpine-Himalayan earthquake belt, and Cyprus is located in the Alpine Himalayan earthquake zone.”

Dr. Dindar gave a chronological account of the major earthquakes recorded around Cyprus in the last century, and starting as of 1918, he shared detailed information about the Famagusta Gulf earthquake in 1941, the 1953 destructive double earthquake, the most powerful earthquake of 1996, and the last major earthquake that was recorded in 2022.

Dr. Dindar made some remarks about the predictability of earthquakes, and said, "In the light of all these known facts, it is now possible by scientific circles to predict where an earthquake will occur and where it can cause destruction. The magnitude of the earthquake can be predicted according to the length of the fault that produces the earthquake."

Dr. Dindar also emphasized the importance of modern engineering approaches to building safety to protect people and assets.  He also reminded that in our day and age, the earthquake resistance of buildings is determined by performing ground surveys and comprehensive calculations and the data obtained helps prepare  earthquake resistant projects. Dindar stated that this scientific approach ensures that earthquake safety is observed at every stage of the construction process.