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2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 37°10′26″N 37°01′55″E / 37.174°N 37.032°E / 37.174; 37.032
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===Seismicity===
===Seismicity===
[[File:Turkey magnitude 7.8 earthquake (3-17 AM, 6 February 2023) 1.png|thumb|300px|Seismogram of the earthquake]]
The region where the February 6 earthquake occurred is relatively quiet seismologically. Only three earthquakes of magnitude 6 or larger have occurred within 250 km of the February 6 earthquake since 1970. The largest of these, a magnitude 6.7, occurred northeast of the February 6 earthquake [[2020 Elazığ earthquake|on January 24, 2020]]. All of these earthquakes occurred along or in the vicinity of the East Anatolia fault. Despite the relative seismic quiescence of the epicentral area of the February 6, southern Turkey and northern Syria have experienced significant and damaging earthquakes in the past. Aleppo, in Syria, was devastated several times historically by large earthquakes, though the precise locations and magnitudes of these earthquakes can only be estimated. Aleppo was struck by an estimated [[1138 Aleppo earthquake|magnitude 7.1 earthquake]] in 1138 and an estimated [[1822 Aleppo earthquake|magnitude 7.0 earthquake]] in 1822. Fatality estimates of the 1822 earthquake were 20,000-60,000.<ref name="anss7.8" />
The region where the February 6 earthquake occurred is relatively quiet seismologically. Only three earthquakes of magnitude 6 or larger have occurred within 250 km of the February 6 earthquake since 1970. The largest of these, a magnitude 6.7, occurred northeast of the February 6 earthquake [[2020 Elazığ earthquake|on January 24, 2020]]. All of these earthquakes occurred along or in the vicinity of the East Anatolia fault. Despite the relative seismic quiescence of the epicentral area of the February 6, southern Turkey and northern Syria have experienced significant and damaging earthquakes in the past. Aleppo, in Syria, was devastated several times historically by large earthquakes, though the precise locations and magnitudes of these earthquakes can only be estimated. Aleppo was struck by an estimated [[1138 Aleppo earthquake|magnitude 7.1 earthquake]] in 1138 and an estimated [[1822 Aleppo earthquake|magnitude 7.0 earthquake]] in 1822. Fatality estimates of the 1822 earthquake were 20,000-60,000.<ref name="anss7.8" />


Revision as of 04:11, 6 February 2023

2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes
2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes is located in Turkey
2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes
UTC time2023-02-06 01:17:35
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local date06 February 2023
Local time04:17:35
Magnitude7.8 Mww
Depth17.9 km (11 mi)
Epicenter37°10′26″N 37°01′55″E / 37.174°N 37.032°E / 37.174; 37.032
TypeStrike-slip
Areas affectedTurkey, Syria
Max. intensityMMI IX (Violent)
AftershocksLargest is a 6.7 Mw
Casualtiesat least 15 fatalities

On 6 February 2023, a moment magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Turkey, west of the city of Gaziantep at 04:17 local time (01:17 UTC). At least 15 people were killed and widespread damage occurred in Turkey and Syria.

Earthquake

The United States Geological Survey measured the earthquake at moment magnitude 7.8 (Mww). It had an epicenter west of Gaziantep in Gaziantep Province, near the border with Syria. The shock had a focal mechanism corresponding to shallow strike-slip faulting.[1] Rupture occurred on either a northwest–southeast striking, northeast dipping or northwest–southeast striking, northwest dipping fault.[2] The earthquake had an aftershock measuring Mww  6.7.[3]

Geology

Map of the Anatolian Plate, featuring the East Anatolian Fault.

The preliminary location of the earthquake places it within the vicinity of a triple-junction between the Anatolia, Arabia, and Africa plates. The mechanism and location of the earthquake are consistent with the earthquake having occurred on either the East Anatolian Fault zone or the Dead Sea Transform Fault Zone. The East Anatolian Fault accommodates the westward extrusion of Turkey into the Aegean Sea, while the Dead Sea Transform accommodates the northward motion of the Arabia peninsula relative to the Africa and Eurasia plates.[1]

Seismicity

Seismogram of the earthquake

The region where the February 6 earthquake occurred is relatively quiet seismologically. Only three earthquakes of magnitude 6 or larger have occurred within 250 km of the February 6 earthquake since 1970. The largest of these, a magnitude 6.7, occurred northeast of the February 6 earthquake on January 24, 2020. All of these earthquakes occurred along or in the vicinity of the East Anatolia fault. Despite the relative seismic quiescence of the epicentral area of the February 6, southern Turkey and northern Syria have experienced significant and damaging earthquakes in the past. Aleppo, in Syria, was devastated several times historically by large earthquakes, though the precise locations and magnitudes of these earthquakes can only be estimated. Aleppo was struck by an estimated magnitude 7.1 earthquake in 1138 and an estimated magnitude 7.0 earthquake in 1822. Fatality estimates of the 1822 earthquake were 20,000-60,000.[1]

Response

Estimation of losses

According to a professor of geophysics at the Kandilli Observatory, the death toll could be similar to the 1999 İzmit earthquake, in which 18,373 people died.[4] The United States Geological Survey PAGER service estimated a 34 percent probability of deaths between 100 and 1,000 and 31 percent probability of deaths between 1,000 and 10,000. The service estimated a 35 percent probability of economical losses between US $1 billion and US $10 billion.[5]

Other countries

The Civil Protection Department of Italy issued an alert for possible tsunami waves striking the Italian coast. Coastal residents were adviced to flee to higher ground and follow local authorities.[6]

Casualties

At least 15 people were killed;[7] 10 in Turkey's Sanliurfa area and 5 in Osmaniye.[8] Some people who were trapped under rubble live streamed their pleas for help on social media.[9]

Damage

Turkey

Many buildings were destroyed in Adıyaman and Diyarbakır.[10] In Diyarbakir, a shopping mall collapsed.[11] Building collapses also occurred in Malatya.[8] The Governor of Osmaniye said 34 buildings in the province had collapsed.[12]

Syria

The Syrian Civil Defense called the situation in the northwest part of the country "disastrous". Many buildings collapsed and people were trapped. Collapses occurred in the cities of Aleppo and Hama. In Damascus, many people fled from their homes onto the streets.[8]

Other countries

In Lebanon, residents were awaken from their sleep. Buildings in the country shook for up to 40 seconds. In Beirut, residents fled their homes and stayed in streets or drove in their vehicles to flee from buildings.[8] The earthquake was also felt as far as Cyprus.[13] The European Mediterranian Seismological Centre said shaking was felt in Greece, Jordan, Iraq, Romania, Georgia, and Egypt.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c National Earthquake Information Center (6 February 2023). "M 7.8 - 23 km E of Nurdağı, Turkey". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 6 February 2023. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ "TURKEY 2023/02/06 01:17:35 UTC, Mw=8.0". GEOSCOPE Observatory. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  3. ^ National Earthquake Information Center (6 February 2023). "M 6.7 - Central Turkey". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  4. ^ "SON DAKİKA: Gaziantep ve Kahramanmaraş'taki korkutan deprem sonrası uzman isim canlı yayında duyurdu! '1999 İzmit depremine benzer maalesef yıkımlar olacak'" (in Turkish). Mynet. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  5. ^ National Earthquake Information Center. "Loss PAGER - M 7.8, 26 km E of Nurda, Turkey" (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Allerta maremoto: possibili onde in arrivo sulle coste italiane" [Tsunami alert: possible waves arriving on the Italian coasts] (in Italian). Dipartimento della Protezione Civile. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Turkey hit by powerful earthquake". DW News. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d "Powerful 7.8 quake knocks down buildings in Turkey, Syria". Associated Press. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Kahramanmaraş'ta 7.4 şiddetinde deprem! 'Enkaz altındayız yardım edin...'" (in Turkish). Bursada Bugün. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Kahramanmaraş'ta 7,4 büyüklüğünde deprem, teyit edilmemiş yıkım haberleri var" [7.4 magnitude earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, there are unconfirmed destruction news] (in Turkish). BBC News. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Strong earthquake hits south-eastern Turkey near Syria border". BBC News. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  12. ^ "5 Dead, Many Buildings Damaged In 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake In Turkey". NDTV. Agence France-Presse. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  13. ^ "Turkey earthquake: 7.8-magnitude quake kills at least 10 - and is felt elsewhere in the Middle East". Sky News. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  14. ^ "Strong quake knocks down buildings in Turkey and Syria; shaking felt across Israel". The Times of Israel. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
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