How will the 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Istanbul affect the fault lines?

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Fotoğraf altı yazısı,İstanbul'da son yıllarda çok sayıda bina yıkılıp yeniden yapılsa da uzmanlar bunun yeterli olmadığı 

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Prof. Dr. Naci Görür, a member of the Science Academy, shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account: 'These are not the major earthquakes we are expecting in the Marmara region. These quakes increase the stress accumulated on the fault. In other words, they push it toward rupture. The real earthquake here will be larger and over magnitude 7.

Prof. Dr. Okan Tüysüz, a geological engineer and member of the Science Academy, who answered questions from Türkçe, also stated that the 6.2 magnitude tremor is important 'due to concerns that it could be a precursor to a major earthquake.'

Prof. Tüysüz noted that an earthquake has been expected on this fault since August 17, 1999, and said: 'This is a region where the fault is locked, meaning it is accumulating stress. Some segments of the fault that cannot withstand this stress rupture and produce these kinds of earthquakes

This earthquake has released some energy, but it is not one that can significantly affect the over-magnitude-7 earthquake we are expecting."

"Istanbul—or rather, the entire Marmara region—is pregnant with an earthquake. In that sense, this could be considered a warning."

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What is known about the North Anatolian Fault Line?

Prof. Dr. Celal Şengör, speaking on journalist Fatih Altaylı’s YouTube program, referred to fault analysis data he obtained from Kandilli Observatory. He stated that the April 23 tremor "might have brought the expected major Istanbul earthquake a bit closer, but it was not a foreshock."

Şengör emphasized that coastal areas such as Yeşilköy and Tuzla are particularly at risk, but noted that the recent tremor indicates the fault may not rupture in one single piece. This, he explained, could reduce the expected major earthquake's intensity from around magnitude 7.6 to about 7.2.

Şengör also urged the public to stay in their homes.

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There are also experts who believe the April 23 tremor may have actually been the expected major Istanbul earthquake.

Burak Çatlıoğlu, President of the Istanbul Branch of the Chamber of Geophysical Engineers, told BBC Turkish that a 6.2 magnitude quake cannot be considered small, adding:

"The eastern segment of this fault ruptured during the 1999 İzmit earthquake, and the western segment during the 1912 Mürefte earthquake. This middle section remained unbroken—until now.