Near East University Earthquake and Soil Research and Evaluation Center President (DEPZEM) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cavit Atalar commented on about the earthquake in Izmir and how ready the TRNC is for the earthquake. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atalar said, "Izmir earthquake has no direct effect on Cyprus and the Mediterranean. However, the issue it reminded about the ground survey and the earthquake suitability of the buildings contains very important lessons ”.

Speaking about the TRNC's earthquake risk, Atalar reminded that earthquakes are a reality of our region, and emphasized that earthquake-resistant buildings should be built in harmony with the ground in order not to be affected by the disasters caused by the earthquake.

Reminding that earthquakes in the TRNC have damaged the cities in the past, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cavit Atalar said, “Earthquakes do not kill, rotten structures do. Buildings built with the old earthquake regulations should be inspected."

"As a country, we are not ready for an earthquake ..."
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cavit Atalar also drew attention to the fact that a great destruction could occur in the event of an earthquake in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. “There is always an earthquake risk as our region is surrounded by active fault lines. Although it is not clear when the earthquake will occur, there have been many earthquakes in Cyprus in the past. In 1953, as a result of an earthquake of 6.0 and 6.1 magnitude, 8 seconds apart, 9 villages were destroyed ”.

Another issue that Cavit Atalar drew attention to was the status of the TRNC building stock. Earthquake and Soil Research and Evaluation Center President said, “Buildings in our country are not ready and safe against earthquakes. Especially buildings built with the old earthquake regulations should be inspected. The first earthquake regulation in TRNC was made in 1973. This regulation was renewed in 2019, but buildings built before 1960 were built without any plans. Today's constructions are made with the plans of the Union of Chambers of Engineers and Architects. Some buildings have grounds and some buildings are not built well. These structures should be strictly controlled.”

Buildings must be designed and built according to the ground ...
Pointing out that the ground investigation should be done in a qualified manner, Cavit Atalar underlined that the foundation design of the buildings should be planned according to the ground. Stating that it is important to build earthquake-resistant buildings in order not to be affected by the disasters caused by the earthquake, Atalar said, “We must make efforts to prevent earthquakes. We should think as if there was no earthquake, and build roads, hospitals, schools, homes, hotels in accordance with the rules and grounds as if there would be an earthquake at any moment ”.

"Earthquakes do not kill, rotten structures do."
Making comments on the destruction in the Izmir earthquake, Near East University Earthquake and Soil Research and Evaluation Center President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cavit Atalar said that the construction of the buildings on soft ground in Izmir increased the destructiveness of the earthquake. Stating that the lifetime of the ferroconcrete buildings is approximately 50 years, Atalar stated that old buildings, built on weak ground, were destroyed by the earthquake in Izmir.

Observation to be conducted at Earthquake Station ...
Expressing that they are constantly under observation at the Earthquake Station they have established as the Near East University Earthquake and Ground Research and Evaluation Center, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atalar noted that they are working on whether a possible earthquake can be predicted in advance by measuring radiofrequency waves.