5.1 magnitude earthquake in Turkey, jolt near Kulu
Ankara, 16 May 2025 – A 5.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in Turkey, which was felt 14 km northeast of Kulu. This earthquake occurred at 3:46 PM on Thursday, in which tremors were also felt in Ankara and nearby cities.
After the earthquake, people came out of their homes, but there is no report of any loss of life or property. Turkey is a tectonically active region, where the African, Eurasian and Anatolian plates meet, making it earthquake-prone.
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake also occurred near Greece yesterday, which has increased the worry of the people of Turkey. Experts say that the risk of earthquakes always remains in Turkey and people have been advised to follow safety measures.
The specific causes of earthquakes in Turkey are related to its tectonic location. This country is situated between the African, Eurasian and Anatolian tectonic plates, which makes it seismically active.
Reasons for Earthquakes in Turkey
- Tectonic Plate Boundaries – Turkey is situated on the Anatolian Plate, which remains under pressure between the Eurasian and Arabian plates. This is an earthquake-prone area because of the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) and East Anatolian Fault (EAF).
- Strike-Slip Faults – This is the transform boundary in which the plates slide horizontally, which causes earthquakes when sudden stress release occurs.
- Seismic Stress Accumulation – The continuous movement of plates causes stress build-up, which can cause major earthquakes.
- Shallow Earthquakes – Turkey experiences shallow depth earthquakes, which can cause more damage at the surface.
- Historical Seismic Activity – Turkey has one 5.0 or larger earthquake in Turkey every year, which reflects tectonic instability of the area.
Turkey’s North Anatolian Fault is a high-risk seismic zone, which has also experienced major earthquakes in the past. Experts say that there is always a risk of earthquake in Turkey, and people have been advised to follow safety measures.
It is very important to follow safety measures during an earthquake to avoid loss of life and property. Here are some important safety measures that can keep you safe during an earthquake:
What to do during an earthquake?
- Drop, Cover, Hold On – Immediately sit on the ground, support your head with something strong, and hold on to strong furniture or a table.
- If you are inside the house, don’t run out – don’t go near doors or windows, as you could get hurt by falling objects. 3. Switch off the gas and electricity – If possible, turn off the gas stove and electrical appliances immediately**.
- Protect yourself from falling – Sit near the walls or under some strong furniture.
- If you are outside, walk in an open place – Stay away from buildings, trees, electric poles and flyovers.
- Do not use the lift – The lift may stop working during an earthquake, so use the stairs**. 7. *Keep an emergency kit ready* – Keep a torch, water, first aid items and necessary medicines** with you.
- Take care of children and elders – Take them to a safe place and help them.
What to do after an earthquake?
- Check the safety of your home – Check the walls, roof and gas pipelines.
- Get information from radio or news sources – If there is a possibility of aftershocks, stay in a safe place.
- Help your neighbours – If someone is hurt, call for medical help immediately.
During an earthquake, Maintain peace and Adopt correct safety measures are most important.
There was a lot of damage in the earthquake but you can also blame it on this because Turkey supported Pakistan in the war. When there was an earthquake in Turkey and there was a lot of damage, India was the first country to send its team to help them and today Turkey is supporting the enemies of India. Now it does not seem that India will help because Turkey has been fooled.