Decoding Turkey's East Anatolian Fault: Unveiling Seismic Secrets

A team of international geoscientists led by the University of Minnesota has determined the age and formation process of the East Anatolian fault in Turkey, which played a role in the devastating earthquakes that occurred in February 2023. While the findings won't help predict future earthquakes, they provide valuable insights into the region's seismic activity and how major earthquakes have shaped the landscape over time. This knowledge can inform decision-making for infrastructure and housing placement. The study, funded by the National Science Foundation, sheds light on the formation of the Anatolian plate and the East Anatolian fault, which likely formed around five million years ago.