8/23/99 2:42 PM: The town of Degimendere was very close to the epicenter of the earthquake and therefore felt the strongest shaking. Many buildings were destroyed and hundreds, if not thousands were killed in the area nearby. There was significant wave action with the water coming over the road and into the first floor of the buildings along the shore. One of the more interesting sights was the submergence or slope failure under a park and a restaurant in the center of town. It is described in the second set of photos below.

Degirmendere had an extensive waterfront community with many fishing boats, restaurants, and shops

Residents say after the earthquake this entire region disappeared underwater. There was a restaurant and many tall trees. Now only the tops are visible

More views of the same region as above, one from sea.

The material under the building on the left was either subsided or eroded away. On the right is earthquake damage.

The waterfront area in Degirmendere.