Ahmet Mete Işıkara

Ahmet Mete Işıkara (22 October 1941 – 21 January 2013) was a Turkish geophysicist and earthquake scientist known for his efforts to create public awareness of the need for earthquake-related protection and safety.

Early years Işıkara was born 1941 in Mersin. In 1947 he went to primary school and in 1954 to junior high school in Mersin. After finishing high school in Mersin, he studied in Istanbul University graduating in 1965. In the same year, he began his academic career as an geophysics assistant at the Faculty of Science. He continued his studies in Imperial College London and University of Göttingen.

In 2003, Işıkara was appointed chairman of the newly established Disaster Preparedness and Earthquake Education Association ( (AHDER)). Işıkara served as the head consultant of the Turkish Red Crescent. In Turkey's electoral system, parties that receive less than 10% of all votes are not qualified to gain seats in the parliament. In the 2002 elections, DYP received slightly less than 10% and so Işıkara was not able to enter parliament.

Death Işıkara died on 21 January 2013 due to respiratory insufficiency in a hospital in Istanbul, where he had been treated for 44 days in the intensive care unit. He was laid to rest at the Feriköy Cemetery, Istanbul.

Legacy A primary school in Mersin is named after Işıkara.