Public Perceptions of Earthquake Risk and Preparedness in Istanbul

This study examines public perceptions and awareness of earthquake risks in Istanbul through a mixed-methods qualitative analysis of 765 YouTube comments posted under a video featuring seismologist Professor Naci Görür, recorded as of June 05, 2025. Employing thematic analysis, frequency statistics, and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling, the research identifies seven disaster awareness subdimensions: Risk Perception, Knowledge/Information Level, Preparedness/Preventive Behaviors, Response Awareness, Post-Disaster Recovery Awareness, Social/Societal Awareness, and Fatalism vs. Agency. Findings reveal a dominant focus on Knowledge/Information Level (590 comments) and Preparedness/Preventive Behaviors (135 comments), reflecting a strong public appetite for scientific understanding and proactive measures, driven by Istanbul's proximity to the North Anatolian Fault.