Professor Naci Görür warns: Northern Cyprus is a country with potential for strong earthquakes, measures must be taken within 10 years

Famous Turkish seismologist and geologist Prof. Dr. Naci Görür, speaking at the “Deprem Dirençli Kıbrıs” event, emphasized that Cyprus has significant seismic potential and that with targeted preparation, the island could become earthquake-resistant in about ten years.

According to Görür, Cyprus is located on an active geological belt and is influenced by fault zones such as Helen-Kıbrıs, where plate interactions occur in the sea. He noted that it is impossible to predict exactly when the next strong earthquake will occur, but the risk cannot be ignored.

“If not today, then tomorrow — Cyprus will feel it,” he said, urging authorities and society to actively prepare: strengthen building earthquake resilience, reform construction standards, educate the population, and modernize infrastructure. He emphasized that such transformation will require time, resources, and political will, but can be achieved within ten years.

Görür cited examples of major earthquakes in the region and noted that Cyprus has previously experienced tremors above 7 on the Richter scale, particularly in the areas of Kyrenia, Nicosia, and the eastern coast. In an interview, he mentioned that climatic and tectonic changes in the region could increase stress on geological faults.

The expert stressed that measures to increase earthquake resilience are not a luxury but a necessity. He called on Cypriot government services to implement reconstruction programs, structural reinforcement, earthquake monitoring, and emergency response systems.