Approximately 1500 km in length, the North Anatolian fault system passes about 20 kilometers south of Istanbul.

On 12 November, another earthquake in the nearby city of Düzce (7.2 Mw) killed 845 and injured 4.948.

[9] Many seismologist agree that there is a very high chance for a 7 or higher magnitude earthquake before 2030; which will be caused by the breaking of the North Anatolian fault line under Marmara Sea, just south of Istanbul.

The earthquake happened at 13:59 local time at the western edge of the Kumburgaz section of North Anatolian Fault under the Sea of Marmara, at a depth of 6.99 km[3] as a strike-slip movement.

[5] Take-offs and landings to Sabiha Gökçen Airport were temporarily halted, but flight operations resumed after the runway was checked for potential damage and deemed safe.