A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Turkiye's northwestern Canakkale province late Tuesday, according to the country's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), reports Daily Sabah.
The quake, which occurred at 11:38 p.m. local time, was centered in the Aegean Sea, about 6 kilometers off the coast of Canakkale’s Ayvacık district, AFAD reported.
So far, no significant damage or casualties have been reported, and field assessments are ongoing, the agency added.
Türkiye lies at the crossroads of several major tectonic plates, including the Eurasian, African, and Arabian plates, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world. This positioning heightens the country's vulnerability to earthquakes, prompting increased efforts in earthquake preparedness and risk mitigation.
The devastating earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, served as a stark reminder of the destructive potential of seismic activity, resulting in heavy casualties and widespread damage.
In response, Turkiye has intensified its focus on understanding seismic risks and improving disaster response strategies. The country’s fault lines, particularly the North Anatolian Fault, which stretches from the Aegean Sea to eastern Turkiye, are responsible for some of the most catastrophic earthquakes in modern history, including the 1999 Izmit earthquake, which killed thousands and caused significant destruction.
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