06/02/2026
The book titled “An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Earthquakes from a Risk Management Standpoint,” which presents the perspectives of experts and academics from 33 different disciplines on the reality of earthquakes, was published by İstinye Üniversitesi Publications as part of the university’s 10th anniversary.
“Earthquakes are disasters that are well known in our country but can result in significant loss of life and property when not adequately managed. Türkiye is located on one of the world’s most active seismic belts, and while many destructive earthquakes have occurred in the past, the risk of future events causing major losses remains ever present. It is an undeniable fact that 92% of our territory lies within earthquake zones, 95% of our population lives under earthquake risk, and 93% of our major industrial centers and dams are situated in active seismic regions. In earthquakes that escalate into disasters, it must be remembered that the first 72 hours are the golden hours. In fact, there is much that can be done before the moment when the S wave reaches the surface and the earthquake is felt in full force.
Becoming informed and prepared in advance, sharing knowledge, and uniting our strengths can enable many people to survive during those critical first 72 hours. In addition to earthquakes, other disasters such as floods, avalanches, and landslides also occur in our country. Although these disasters have significant impacts, earthquakes—due to their comprehensive destructiveness and long-lasting effects—have been examined in this work as a distinct subject through an interdisciplinary approach.”
Prof. Dr. Erkan İbiş / Rector
“Pursuing its vision of becoming one of the world’s leading universities, İstinye Üniversitesi continues to conduct scientific research and produce scholarly works on issues that closely concern both humanity and our country.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of its establishment, our university guides its activities through numerous policy documents covering its fields of operation.
Within this framework, the aim stated under the research policy—‘to develop and carry out high value-added interdisciplinary research activities through a holistic and integrated approach, drawing on the university’s expertise ranging from health sciences and engineering to basic and social sciences’—has been combined with the goal under the heading of social benefit—‘to instill social responsibility and ethical awareness in students and graduates throughout education, research-innovation, and technology production activities, and to create awareness for generating ideas and projects beneficial to society.’ The result is the important work titled “An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Earthquakes from a Risk Management Standpoint.”
Although numerous academic studies on this subject have been conducted in our country, this work aims to introduce a comprehensive and innovative perspective on earthquake research by bringing together insights from different disciplines. At a time when İstinye Üniversitesi is celebrating its 10th anniversary, contributing scientifically to the solution of a major national issue and serving as a guide is regarded as a social responsibility. This study, to which academic and administrative staff as well as students from various disciplines within our university have contributed, consists of 33 chapters. In addition, academics from outside the university have also contributed.”
Prof. Dr. Fahri Erenel / Editor
Managing the Known Instead of Waiting: Disasters Do Not Announce Their Arrival. Remember! A Whistle and a Flashlight Can Connect You to Life
Since the beginning of 2020, Türkiye has faced many different types of disasters. In scientific literature, disasters are generally classified into three categories: human-induced, natural, and technological. In recent years, Türkiye has experienced examples of all three, including avalanches, landslides, aircraft accidents, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, lightning strikes, and most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. Witnessing the continued loss of life and property after each disaster deeply affects and saddens society.
Being present at disaster sites is important for providing moral support to victims, demonstrating state solidarity, and helping to heal the aftermath. Government assistance also continues during the recovery phase, when life gradually returns to normal. Constructing temporary or permanent housing for those whose homes were destroyed in earthquakes is one example of such support.
Disaster management consists of four main stages: risk and damage reduction, preparedness, response, and recovery. Planning and action strategies are structured around these stages. In our country, significant efforts are being made in each phase. Nevertheless, despite these endeavors, there remain shortcomings and insufficiently prioritized areas that continue to result in loss of life and property.
In fact, both our deficiencies and the actions required to address them are already well known.