Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni

Historical Development of the Earthquake Research Commission Reports Submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye

Abstract: After a significant earthquake, Earthquake Research Commissions are established in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye in order to help heal the wounds of the earthquake quickly, to reveal problem areas, to determine solutions that may be suggested, and to carry out earthquake-related studies. Starting from the first commission established in 1962, Earthquake Research Commissions were established eight times under different names in 1966,1997, 1999, 2010, 2020 and 2023. In addition to these, earthquake-related research commissions were established 4 times in the Senate of the Grand National Assembly in 1962, 1976, 1977 and 1978. It is equally important tomake findings and suggestions in the commission reports, as well as to follow them up and check whether they areimplemented. In order for the recommendations to be implemented, they must be legally binding. For this reason,it is important that the Grand National Assembly has the duty to put in practice the opinions and suggestionsstated in the reports of the Parliamentary Earthquake Research Commission and to make the proposed legislative changes. It will make significant contributions to Türkiye`s efforts to reduce earthquake risks if all political partiesin the Parliament work together and follow up on the proposals made in the reports, put their suggestions regarding legislative regulations on the agenda of Parliament as soon as possible and enact them, and ensure their implementation by checking whether their suggestions are implemented.The purpose of this article is to provide information about the Parliamentary Earthquake Research Commissions and reports prepared by these commissions that have been established from past to present, as well as to contribute to the development of recommendations and studies on reducing earthquake risks and to guide the commissions to be established in the future.