Seafloor observations and observatory activities in the Sea of Marmara

The Sea of Marmara (SOM) is located on the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) zone in NW Turkey (Figure 4.1; Barka, 1992; Straub and Kahle, 1997; Okay et al., 2000; Imren et al., 2001; Le Pichon et al., 2001, 2003; Armijo et al., 2002; Cagatay et al., 2002; Sengor et al., 2004). The NAF is a major transform-plate boundary that has produced devastating historical earthquakes along its 1600km length (Ambraseys, 2002).