Turkiye-Earthquake’s Killing Spree: Seismologists said that the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday (February 6) is likely to be one of the most dangerous earthquakes of this decade. Seismologists say that the reason for this is the rift between the Anatolian and Arabian Plates for more than 100 km (62 miles) under the earth.
After this movement under the earth, what will be the result now? The aftershocks that keep coming from time to time in these two earthquake-affected countries are also saying that there is something wrong somewhere in the earth’s womb. There was such a strong earthquake in this area 52 years ago, but its intensity was less than the earthquake in 2022 on the Richter scale, it was only above 6.0 scale.
Where did the earthquake come from?
The epicenter of the earthquake was about 26 km east of the Turkish city of Nurdagi at a depth of about 18 km on the Eastern Anatolian Fault. From here, the waves of the earthquake moved towards the northeast, causing devastation in central Turkey and Syria. Significantly, there was very little seismic activity from the East Anatolian Fault during the 20th century.
Roger Musson, an honorary research associate at the British Geological Survey, said, “If we look at the (major) earthquakes recorded by seismometers, it looks more or less like this.” According to the US Geological Survey, only 3 earthquakes have been recorded above 6.0 on the Richter scale since 1970 in this region. But in 1822 an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 occurred in this area. According to estimates, 20,000 people were killed in this. Significantly, this morning on Monday, February 6, more than 2300 people have lost their lives in the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
How dangerous and scary was this?
On average, less than 20 earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 7.0 occur in any given year. This was the reason why the fire in Turkey and Syria on Monday 6th February was so horrifying. According to Joanna Faure Walker, chief of the University College London Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, the Turkey-Syria earthquake was 250 times more powerful than the 2016 6.2 earthquake in central Italy. Had more energy left. About 300 people were killed by this. If we look at the earthquakes in this region, only two of the deadliest earthquakes from 2013 to 2022 had results similar to the February 6 earthquake.
Why was it so serious?
The East Anatolian Fault is a strike-slip fault. In these, solid rock plates are pushing against each other over a vertical fault line. In these, tension, stretch or contraction persists until a plate slips in horizontal motion. This releases a tremendous amount of stress, which can trigger an earthquake.
The San Andreas Fault in California is probably the most famous strike-slip fault in the world. Scientists have warned that a devastating earthquake is long overdue. The initial rift in the plates for the Turkey-Syria earthquake started at a relatively shallow depth.
Planetary geoscientist David Rothery of the Open University in Britain said, “If an earthquake of similar magnitude occurs at the source, where the earthquake started, it will affect the Earth worse than this earthquake.” Will shake or give shocks.
what kind of aftershocks can occur
The region was first struck by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock 11 minutes after the morning quake. It was followed by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake hours later, and then followed by a magnitude 6.0 earthquake in the afternoon. “What we’re seeing now is that activity is spreading further down into the neighboring fault,” seismologists said.
Musson, research associate at the British Geological Survey, said. “We expect seismicity (frequent occurrence of earthquakes in an area) to continue for some time.” After the fatal earthquake of 1822 in this area, its aftershocks continued till the next year.
What could be the death toll count?
Similar magnitude earthquakes in populated areas have killed thousands of people. In 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people. Roger Musson at the British Geological Survey said, “It’s not going to be good,” Musson said. “These deaths will be in the thousands and may even be in the tens of thousands.” He said the cold weather meant the chances of survival for those trapped under the debris were slim.
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