RECENT EFFORTS IN ISTANBUL TO PROTECT MUSEUM COLLECTIONS FROM DAMAGE DUE TO EARTHQUAKES

Abstract

The city of Istanbul is located on two continents and has thousands of years of rich history, but it has also been affected by major earthquakes throughout this period and another significant seismic event is expected in the near future. Istanbul hosts numerous museums that make available a wide range of collections that represent universal heritage and most of these museums are located in historical buildings. Through the years earthquakes have caused significant damage to historical structures in Istanbul and an important issue is the protection of these buildings and collections now and in the future. Bogazici University, Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute and the Museum Studies Graduate Program of Yildiz Technical University are leading institutions with respect to research and initiatives aimed at protecting museum collections from earthquake damage in Turkey. This contribution discusses improvements in the seismic protection of collections as well as recent efforts focusing on the development of a distance learning educational package being developed in Turkey that addresses seismic risk mitigation.