Istanbul Version 2

A civil engineer has proposed a plan to create a "satellite" backup city of the Turkish metropolis of Instanbul -- a city precariously sited in a major earthquake area.

1 minute read

February 19, 2008, 8:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"The satellite city, which would be located about 30 minutes away from the country's largest metropolis, would house about 4 million residents as well as Istanbul's corporations, hospitals, and major economic and government institutions."

"Built with modern quake-resistant technologies, the buildings would not only serve as homes and places of business, they would provide refuge to citizens of the old city, should a seismic catastrophe shake the ancient city at its foundation."

"In 1509, a quake triggered a tsunami that destroyed more than 100 mosques and killed 10,000 people. In 1999, a quake left 18,000 dead and thousands of people homeless. And seismologists predict that a major earthquake will probably hit the region by 2025."

Thursday, February 14, 2008 in Discovery

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