SEISMIC HAZARD IN THE ISTANBUL REGION, TURKEY – HOW TO STUDY A SUBMARINE FAULT

摘要

After the two disastrous earthquakes in 1999, the Istanbul-Marmara region appears threatened by the probable occurrence of one or more large earthquakes in the next few decades. As a response to this challenge, the international scientific community reacted immediately, proposing cutting edge projects in seismology, space geodesy, tectonics and marine geophysics. A French-Turkish research program was provided with important support and was achieved between 2000 and 2003. The outcome of that program, summarized here, demonstrates the relevance of an integrated study focused on a dangerous fault. A similar strategy can be proposed after the great 2004 earthquake for the Sumatra region.