Earthquake of 5.1 Magnitude Shakes Turkey, Tremors Felt in Capital Ankara
Ankara, May 15, 2025 — A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey on Thursday afternoon, with tremors strongly felt across the capital, Ankara. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the quake hit around 3:46 PM local time, with the epicentre located 14 kilometers northeast of Kulu, a town in central Turkey.
The quake prompted concern across central Turkish provinces, especially in Ankara, but no immediate reports of casualties, injuries, or structural damage have been confirmed, according to Iran’s state-affiliated Mehr News Agency. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are expected to release further updates.
Region on High Seismic Alert
This seismic activity comes just a day after a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Fry, Greece, early Wednesday. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the Greek quake occurred at 1:51 AM local time, at a depth of 78 kilometers below the Earth’s surface. That tremor was felt across multiple countries, including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, and even as far as Cairo, Egypt.
Local Greek authorities responded swiftly, issuing a tsunami warning as a precaution due to the undersea location of the tremor’s epicenter. No tsunami was ultimately reported, and there were no major injuries or fatalities.
Earthquake Frequency in the Region
Turkey lies in one of the world's most seismically active zones, particularly along the Anatolian Fault, a major fault line comparable to California's San Andreas Fault. According to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the country experiences at least one magnitude 5 or above earthquake each year.
Earlier in 2025, a series of tremors struck Santorini Island in Greece, many of them exceeding magnitude 5. While these quakes caused concern among locals and tourists, no major damage or injuries were reported during that period.
Devastating Earthquakes Still Fresh in Memory
The latest tremor in Turkey, though not destructive, brings back chilling memories of the catastrophic earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria in February 2023. That disaster began with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed hours later by a 7.5 magnitude quake, causing massive devastation.
The twin quakes led to the deaths of over 59,000 people in Turkey and 8,000 in Syria, with thousands of buildings flattened and millions displaced. Recovery efforts from that disaster continue even two years later, especially in southeastern Turkey, where infrastructure damage was most severe.
Government Response and Preparedness
In light of Thursday’s tremor, Turkey's disaster preparedness agencies, including AFAD, have assured the public that emergency response mechanisms are in place. Early warning systems, structural audits, and citizen awareness programs have been intensified since the 2023 disaster to minimize the risk in future events.
While today's earthquake caused no reported damage, geologists continue to emphasize the need for vigilance and earthquake-resilient infrastructure, especially in urban areas like Ankara and Istanbul, which lie close to major fault lines.
Stay tuned to TheTrendingPeople.com for real-time updates on natural disasters, safety advisories, and emergency preparedness news from around the world.
