From August 11 to August 24, 2025, Associate Professor Tuna Eken from Istanbul Technical University (ITU) visited several leading research institutions in China, including the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGGCAS), the China University of Geosciences, Beijing (CUGB), and the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). The visit was supported by the International Fellowship for International Scientists (IIFI) program of IGGCAS.

Academic Activities at IGGCAS

During his stay at IGGCAS, Prof. Tuna Eken delivered a series of lectures covering topics such as isotropic and anisotropic seismic imaging, seismo-geodetic observations, co-seismic behavior of major earthquakes, and the crust-mantle structure beneath Anatolia (Turkey) and surrounding regions (http://igg.cas.cn/xwzx/xshd/202508/t20250807_7901989.html):

1．August 13 – “Crust and Mantle Structure of Anatolia (Türkiye) and Its Adjacent Regions: Insights from Isotropic and Anisotropic Seismic Imaging”

2．August 14 – “Co-seismic Behavior of Recent Major Earthquakes in Türkiye: Insights from Seismo-geodetic Observations”

The lectures were well received by faculty and students. Profs. Juan Li, Qi-Fu Chen, Lian-Feng Zhao, Hong-Yi Li and others engaged in in-depth discussions on seismic data processing, interpretation, and the geodynamics of the Anatolia plateau. On behalf of IGGCAS, Prof. Lian-Feng Zhao presented the International Scholar Certificate to Prof. Eken (Fig. 1).

Beyond formal seminars, Prof. Eken also interacted actively with Prof. Jin-Hai Zhang and graduate students, providing valuable feedback on their research projects. He also enjoyed cultural activities in Beijing, which further enriched the visit. This exchange strengthened the basis for future collaborations, including joint geophysical surveys across subduction zones, data sharing, and student exchange programs.

Academic Activities at CUGB

Invited by Prof. Hong-Yi Li, Prof. Eken visited CUGB, where he gave a seminar on the coseismic behavior of major earthquakes in Turkey (https://www.cugb.edu.cn/xshd/49154.jhtml):

1．August 15 – “Co-seismic Behavior of Recent Major Earthquakes in Türkiye: Insights from Seismo-geodetic Observations”

The seminar stimulated lively discussions among faculty and students (Fig. 2). After the event, Prof. Li and her students guided Prof. Eken on a campus tour, further facilitating academic and cultural exchange.

Academic Activities at USTC

On August 19, under the leadership of Profs. Lian-Feng Zhao and Hua-Jian Yao， an academic colloquium was held at USTC in Hefei. Participants included Prof. Eken (ITU), Zhou-Chuan Huang (NJU), Cheng-Li Liu (CUG), and Ru-Meng Guo (APM, CAS).

In the morning, attendees visited laboratories at the Frontier Research Center for Earth and Space Sciences, where they received briefings on the Distributed Acoustic Sensor (DAS) and Seismic Displacement Laser Detector. In the afternoon, researchers presented their findings and exchanged perspectives on seismic methods, results, and geodynamic-tectonic interpretations (Fig. 3).

Prof. Eken delivered the first presentation of the colloquium:

1．August 19 – “Crust and Mantle Structure of Anatolia (Türkiye) and Its Adjacent Regions: Insights from Isotropic and Anisotropic Seismic Imaging”

The colloquium concluded with academic networking and informal discussions hosted by Prof. Yao.

Prospects for collaboration

The academic visit significantly strengthened ties between Turkish and Chinese researchers. Through productive discussions and knowledge-exchange, a solid foundation has been established for future collaborations in geosciences, particularly in joint field surveys, data sharing, and training of young scholars.

Fig. 1. Academic activities at the IGGCAS

Fig. 2. Academic activities at CUGB

Fig. 3. Academic activities at USTC

(Reported by Lixin Zhong, from the Key Laboratory of Planetary Science and Frontier Technology)