A 6.2-magnitude earthquake recently shook Istanbul, Turkey's largest city and a major crossroads between Europe and Asia. Home to nearly 16 million people, Istanbul lies precariously close to the North Anatolian Fault — one of the world's most active seismic lines. For years, experts have warned that the city faces a high probability of experiencing a major earthquake, and every tremor reignites urgent conversations about preparedness. Today, much of Istanbul is heavily built-up, with many older buildings still vulnerable despite years of warnings from experts. While the threat of a major earthquake looms, fears of a large-scale disaster are growing.

This raises a crucial question: does every earthquake inevitably have to turn into a catastrophe?

Several countries that once faced devastating losses have proven that living with earthquakes doesn't have to mean living in fear.

Their experiences show that resilience is not just about surviving the next earthquake — it's about building systems that protect lives before the ground begins to shake.

How have they done it?

Japan, which is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries. Over decades, it has transformed vulnerability into resilience, thanks to a mix of technology, architecture, and public preparedness.

A key pillar is the Earthquake Early Warning system, operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Since 2007, this system has used over a thousand seismic sensors to detect the first, weaker........

© Deutsche Welle