On Monday, February 6, at 4:17 a. m. local time, a 7. An earthquake of magnitude eight occurred in southern Turkey, close to the northern Syrian border. The energy released was equivalent to about eight million tons of TNT. Nine hours later, a 7. 5 magnitude earthquake struck the same region.
The earthquakes claimed the lives of over 46,000 people and brought down hundreds of thousands of buildings in the region, leaving at least 2 million survivors homeless and in need of humanitarian assistance.
Ashly Cabas, an assistant professor of civil, construction, and environmental engineering and fellow at the Center for Geospatial Analytics, claims that the intensity of the recent earthquakes created the “perfect recipe for strong ground motions to take place.” ” ”.
Using geospatial analytics, Cabas characterizes earthquake ground motions and the effect of spatial variability in sedimentary deposits on the magnitude of ground shaking and deformation. More specifically, her research team develops prediction models of the behavior of soils and foundation systems under seismic loads.
“These shallow, large magnitude earthquakes had epicenters located nearby densely populated cities, along with a fault rupture spanning approximately 186 miles,” according to Cabas, “exposing many communities and civil infrastructure systems to strong ground shaking.”
“We will probably get much-needed information from reconnaissance teams in the field to fully comprehend the compounding effects that led to the devastation the entire world is sadly witnessing in Turkey,” she went on. ”.
Turkey is one of the most seismically active regions in the world because it is located on the Anatolian plate, which is being squeezed westward by the collision of two tectonic plates, the Arabian and Eurasian.
Due to friction, these plates become stuck at their edges as they pass one another, and pressure increases. The ground trembles as a result of an earthquake that happens when the pressure is eventually released.
An earthquake’s horizontal and vertical motion can distort beams, columns, and other building structural elements. The degradation of the integrity of these structural elements can ultimately lead to collapse.
According to Cabas, modern building codes provide the guidance required to design earthquake-resistant structures in many countries, from precisely characterizing the seismic hazard to developing protocols that ensure the structures’ ductility.
Despite the fact that many structures in Syria and Turkey are constructed in compliance with modern building codes, some experts have suggested that the region’s earthquake devastation may have been caused by recent development policies and local infrastructure.
To fully understand the impact of the building stock’s quality on the damage observed in Syria and Turkey, more data is required. For example, old buildings without the necessary retrofit measures to comply with current building codes, or new construction without the appropriate building practices or code compliance, according to Cabas
But a structure’s ability to withstand seismic shaking depends on more than just how it was built; the ground it sits on also affects this. For example, the thickness and softness of sedimentary deposits beneath structures can affect the amplitude, frequency content, and duration of seismic waves.
According to Cabas, heavily shaken, saturated granular soils can lose all of their shear strength and become liquid-like. This “liquefaction” phenomenon has the potential to seriously distort the ground, harming or even collapsing buildings.
Thus, a nearby moderate-magnitude earthquake may cause damage to some types of structures, while a distant large-magnitude earthquake may cause damage to other types of structures. If such structures are constructed on soft soils or rock, they may further modify the magnitude of ground shaking, according to Cabas.
The San Andreas fault, which divides the Pacific Plate from the North American Plate, is located in California. According to Cabas, this fault system is also present in the United States and is responsible for the earthquakes that occurred there.
A report published by the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) found that a hypothetical 7. In southern California, an eight-magnitude earthquake on the San Andreas fault could result in 1,800 fatalities and nearly 50,000 injuries.
The occurrence of earthquakes in central and eastern U. S. is unique, though, in that earthquakes in these regions are not brought on by the relative movement of two or more plates because they are contained inside the North American plate.
While earthquakes in North Carolina and other states throughout these regions are less frequent, they can still occur. In August 2020, for example, a 5. 1 magnitude earthquake struck Sparta, North Carolina. According to the USGS, earthquakes in the eastern U. S. “tend to cause higher-frequency shaking” compared to those in the western U. S.
“How hard the ground shakes, how well infrastructure systems function, and how prepared the communities they serve are will all play a role in how much damage future seismic events cause,” said Cabas.
Turkey is a country rich in culture and history that is situated at the meeting point of two tectonic plates and several civilizations. This unique position makes it a fascinating and seismically active region. Let’s explore the tectonic plates that affect Turkey and how they affect the country and its people.
A Land of Shifting Plates:
Turkey is primarily located on the Anatolian Plate, a fragment of the ancient Eurasian Plate. This plate is constantly in motion, squeezed between the Arabian Plate to the southeast and the Eurasian Plate to the north This constant pressure leads to the formation of fault lines, including the infamous North Anatolian Fault and the East Anatolian Fault.
The North Anatolian Fault:
This massive fault line stretches for over 1,500 kilometers along Turkey’s northern region. It marks the boundary between the Anatolian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. Some of the most catastrophic earthquakes in recorded history, such as the 1999 Izmit earthquake that left over 17,000 people dead, are caused by the North Anatolian Fault.
The East Anatolian Fault:
This fault line runs along the eastern border of Turkey, separating the Anatolian Plate from the Arabian Plate. While less active than the North Anatolian Fault, the East Anatolian Fault is still capable of generating powerful earthquakes. The recent February 2023 earthquake that devastated southern Turkey and northern Syria originated from this fault line.
A Land of Earthquakes:
Turkey’s location on these active fault lines makes it highly susceptible to earthquakes. Every year, the nation is shaken by a great deal of seismic activity, from small tremors to massive earthquakes. These earthquakes have shaped the landscape, creating mountains, valleys, and lakes. Additionally, they have had a significant influence on the lives of those who reside in Turkey.
Living with Earthquakes:
The people of Turkey have learned to adapt to the constant threat of earthquakes. Building codes have been strengthened, and earthquake preparedness programs are in place. However, the risk remains, and the recent earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature.
A Land of Resilience:
Despite the challenges posed by earthquakes, Turkey remains a vibrant and resilient nation. Its people are resilient and resilient in the face of hardship; they have a rich history and culture. Due to the recent earthquake, Turkey’s predicament has gained international attention, and aid is flooding the country to aid in the recovery efforts.
Turkey’s location at the crossroads of tectonic plates and civilizations makes it a land of contrasts. It is a land of beauty and history, but it is also a land of earthquakes. The people of Turkey have learned to live with this constant threat, and they continue to build a future for themselves and their children.
Additional Resources:
- The Economist: Turkey sits at the crossroads of tectonic plates as well as civilisations
- American Museum of Natural History: Anatolian Fault, Turkey