5.4 magnitude earthquake in Şanlıurfa: Which districts have a high earthquake risk?

AFAD announced that a 5.4 magnitude earthquake occurred in Karaköprü district of Şanlıurfa at 10.40. The depth of the earthquake was measured as 7.39 kilometers. So, in which districts of Şanlıurfa is the earthquake risk high? Here is the earthquake situation, district by district...

WHICH DISTRICTS HAVE THE HIGH EARTHQUAKE RISK IN ŞANLIURFA?

Although Şanlıurfa is among the 3rd degree risk (low-medium risk) provinces in the AFAD Turkey Earthquake Hazard Map, the earthquake risk varies from district to district depending on the active fault lines within the provincial borders, active fault systems in neighboring provinces (Eastern Anatolian Fault Line) and ground structures.

Highest Risk Districts (Regions on Primary / Direct Fault Line)

Bozova: According to Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) data, Bozova is the district located directly on the active fault line in the city. According to AFAD scenarios, Bozova Fault is considered to be one of the most important sources that can produce earthquakes throughout the province.

Birecik and Halfeti: These districts, located on the north and northwest axis, have a high potential to be affected due to their proximity to the Eastern Anatolian Fault Line (Kahramanmaraş-Adıyaman line) and steep and rocky/filled canyon ground conditions.

Medium Risk Districts (Those Affected by Surrounding Faults and Ground Enlargement)

Siverek and Hilvan: Due to their proximity to the Adıyaman and Elazığ fault lines in the north, they are among the districts that felt direct and strong shocks from regional main shocks.

Harran and Akçakale: Although these districts are not exactly on active faults, they carry the risk of increasing acceleration (ground enlargement) in a possible earthquake due to the alluvial (loose) ground structure and high groundwater level. There is a risk of damage, especially in old and unengineered structures.

Suruç: It is one of the middle group regions that may be affected by acceleration due to the earthquake propagation of the surrounding graben and fault lines.

Relatively Low / Standard Risk Districts

Karaköprü, Haliliye and Eyyübiye (Central Districts): The main risk in these districts, which constitute the city center, depends on the age of the building stock and the local soil structure rather than the direct fault crossing. While new buildings located on hard limestone/rock grounds are considered safer; Old buildings on alluvial filled soils close to stream beds are at higher risk.