section_path: Geography and environment/Earthquakes
section_name: Earthquakes
paragraph_text: Earthquakes
  
  The North Anatolian Fault, under the Sea of Marmara, is locked just south of the city. This fault caused the earthquakes in 1766 and 1894, and a quake of at least magnitude 7.0 is very likely in the 21st century, though an earthquake with a magnitude above 7.5 is thought to be impossible. Istanbul Municipality's Directorate of Earthquake and Ground Research is responsible for analysing the methods to reduce the urban seismic risk, whereas the national government-controlled Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency is responsible for earthquake emergency response, and will be helped by NGOs such as İHH.
  
  The threat of major earthquakes plays a large role in the city's infrastructure development, with over 500,000 vulnerable buildings demolished and replaced since 2012. According to ministry statements and geologist comments made in 2023, the city's infrastructure was in reasonably good shape, however, due to very high costs, buildings were not: over half a million flats were still vulnerable to collapse, and casualties largely depend on how many collapse. As of 2024, most buildings in Istanbul were built to a low seismic standard in the 20th century, and residents think the city is not properly prepared for the earthquake. On 23 April 2025 an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 shook the city and other areas. Many people were treated for injuries they suffered while trying to jump from buildings or for panic attacks. The earthquake was felt as far as provinces of Tekirdağ, Yalova, Bursa and Balıkesir and in the coastal city of İzmir.