Turkey Earthquake Research Articles

Correlates of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the Aftermath of the February 2023 Earthquake in Turkey

On February 6, 2023, an earthquake registering 7.8 on the Richter scale struck southeast Turkey, and this was followed by a second earthquake of magnitude 7.5. The earthquake resulted in widespread loss, devastation, and destruction, and is anticipated to bear a significant psychological toll on survivors. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in those living in earthquake-affected areas of Turkey. The sample was a convenience sample of 527 adults living in earthquake-affected areas of Turkey. Prevalence rates and gender differences in exposure to earthquake-related traumatic events were investigated. Moreover, prevalence rates of ICD-11 PTSD were computed, and demographic and trauma-related correlates of ICD-11 PTSD were assessed using logistic regression analyses. Most of the sample (99.2%; n = 523) experienced at least one earthquake-related traumatic event, with the majority experiencing multiple events. Findings demonstrated high endorsement of the ICD-11 PTSD symptom clusters, with 54.1% meeting criteria for diagnosis of probable ICD-11 PTSD. Correlates associated with increased risk of PTSD include female gender, physical injury in the earthquake, physical injury of family or loved ones in the earthquake and being in the higher earthquake-related traumatic events exposure quartiles. These findings indicate high levels of trauma exposure and PTSD among survivors of the recent earthquakes which occurred in Turkey. The identification of correlates associated with increased risk of PTSD is useful for identifying Turkish earthquake survivors who are most likely to need psychological support.

‘In order not to cry, we averted our eyes from each other:’ experiences of special education professionals working in the field during the Turkey earthquake

Objectives This study aims to explore the experiences of 12 special education professionals who volunteered in earthquake zones, utilizing a phenomenological approach. Methods A qualitative methodology, specifically content analysis, was employed to analyze the data gathered from these professionals. Results Four major themes emerged: ‘Professionals,’ ‘Children/Individuals with Special Needs,’ ‘Parents,’ and ‘Circumstances, Needs, and Services.’ The findings revealed that individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs) and their families were significantly and negatively affected by the earthquake, experiencing challenges in psychological, social, and educational areas. Furthermore, it was found that the basic needs of individuals with special needs and their families were not adequately met, and services were neither systematically provided nor easily accessible. Conclusions The results underscore the critical impact of natural disasters on individuals with IDDs and their families. It highlights the necessity for immediate implementation of services adhering to accessibility standards and the initiation and consistent continuation of community-based rehabilitation services.

Who helps whom in times of crisis? An investigation of actual donations to two groups of earthquake victims

This pre-registered study assessed actual donations to two groups of victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria in February 2023 while considering various theoretically-relevant contextual and personality factors as determinants of donations. In a diverse German online sample (N = 496), most participants (62.9 %) donated something, and only few (24.0 %) were selective in their donations, donating more to one group of victims than to the other. Dispositional honesty-humility added to the prediction of donation behavior beyond contextual factors. Selective donations, however, were largely driven by (contextual) perceptions of need. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into donation behavior and highlight the importance of personality in understanding individual differences in donations.

The relationship between the psychological resilience and general health levels of earthquake survivor nursing students in Kahramanmaras earthquakes, the disaster of the century.

The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between the psychological resilience of earthquake survivor students and their general health status. This descriptive and correlational study was conducted at a state university in Turkey in June 2023 with the nursing department students of a university that experienced two major earthquakes in Turkey on February 6, 2023. The sample of the study consisted of 287 students. The data of the study were collected with the "Descriptive Characteristics Form," "Brief Resilience Scale," and "General Health Questionnaire-12."Filling out the forms took approximately 5-10 min. It was determined in the present study that the psychological resilience of the earthquake survivor students was moderate. It was found that the girls, second graders, those with higher income levels, those who did not receive medication/professional support for their mental health, and those who described their health as good generally had higher psychological resilience levels. It was found that the general health status of the earthquake survivors was at an increased risk level, and 69% of them were at high risk for mental diseases. The mental health of girls, first graders, those who had low-income levels, those who lost loved ones in the earthquake, those whose houses were damaged, those who received medication/professional support for mental health, those who did not generally participate in distance education, and those who described their health as deficient in general, had worse mental health levels. A high relationship was detected between nursing students' psychological resilience and mental health (p < 0.05). It was concluded in the present study that as the psychological resilience of the students increased, the risk of mental disease decreased.

Plato, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien Using Literary and Philosophical Texts to Navigate Post-Pandemic and Political Teaching Challenges

We examine how Plato, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R Tolkien responded to tumultuous times that included the ongoing reality of death through wars and plagues and social unrest. More specifically, we draw upon the historical backdrop of Plato’s dialogues, C.S. Lewis’s essay, “Learning in War-time”, and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings to bring to light important social and psychological dimensions of the learning process that may help students and educators navigate these tumultuous times that cause confrontation with death. We argue for a middle ground between emphasizing the “unprecedented” nature of events like COVID-19, the politically divisive state of affairs in America, the war in Ukraine, the devastation of earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, and the desire to find a new normal in the midst of world-wide turmoil. We first reflect on our experiences with pandemic teaching and learning. Then, we address some contemporary research on pandemic learning. Third, we turn to the historical backdrop of Plato’s dialogues, specifically the Plague, The Peloponnesian War, the rule of “The Thirty”, the restoration of democracy, and the Reconciliation Agreement in Athens. Fourth, we consider some of the effects of the first and second world wars for both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Finally, we suggest that Gandalf emerges as a model of the middle ground we aim for in our pedagogical relationships.

Data literacy and disaster: information access and evaluation skills of earthquake survivors in Turkey

This study investigates the information access, reliability, scientific data accessibility, and data literacy skills of individuals affected by the 2023 Turkey earthquake. Using qualitative methods, 14 earthquake survivors participated in semi-structured interviews. Varied perceptions highlighted the importance of how communication sources are perceived, emphasizing the need to address information gaps. Evaluating media effectiveness, including social media, television, and radio, revealed the influential role of social media and the importance of reliable sources. Trust in accessing scientific data underscored the significance of renowned scientists. The study emphasized the urgency to enhance disaster communication, media effectiveness, scientific data access, and data literacy skills, with a focus on scientists and reliable sources to mitigate the impacts of disasters.

Earthquake monitoring using deep learning with a case study of the Kahramanmaras Turkey earthquake aftershock sequence

Abstract. Seismic phase picking and magnitude estimation are fundamental aspects of earthquake monitoring and seismic event analysis. Accurate phase picking allows for precise characterization of seismic wave arrivals, contributing to a better understanding of earthquake events. Likewise, accurate magnitude estimation provides crucial information about an earthquake's size and potential impact. Together, these components enhance our ability to monitor seismic activity effectively. In this study, we explore the application of deep-learning techniques for earthquake detection and magnitude estimation using continuous seismic recordings. Our approach introduces DynaPicker, which leverages dynamic convolutional neural networks to detect seismic body-wave phases in continuous seismic data. We demonstrate the effectiveness of DynaPicker using various open-source seismic datasets, including both window-format and continuous recordings. We evaluate its performance in seismic phase identification and arrival-time picking, as well as its robustness in classifying seismic phases using low-magnitude seismic data in the presence of noise. Furthermore, we integrate the phase arrival-time information into a previously published deep-learning model for magnitude estimation. We apply this workflow to continuous recordings of aftershock sequences following the Turkey earthquake. The results of this case study showcase the reliability of our approach in earthquake detection, phase picking, and magnitude estimation, contributing valuable insights to seismic event analysis.

InSAR-based rapid damage assessment of urban building portfolios following the 2023 Turkey earthquake

Timely acquisition of disaster information and damage assessment are crucial for mitigating earthquake impact. However, obtaining post-earthquake information promptly is challenging due to the disruptions caused by earthquakes to human activities and the environment. Remote methods have been widely used for rapidly assessing post-earthquake damage owing to their convenience and high precision. Among these methods, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is renowned for its large area coverage capabilities. However, InSAR may not be suitable for monitoring horizontal deformation of buildings. This study introduces a rapid loss assessment method for post-earthquake building portfolios based on InSAR. Specifically, we obtained the deformation in the horizontal direction of building portfolios in Adıyaman and Nurdağı during the 2023 Turkey earthquake based on InSAR and evaluate the proposed method's effectiveness by comparing it with optical remote sensing imagery. The results demonstrate that this method is efficient and cost-effective in evaluating post-earthquake damage of building portfolios.

Subsurface characterization by active and passive source geophysical methods after the 06 February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey

Two large earthquakes (Mw = 7.7 and Mw = 7.6) that occurred in Turkey on February 6, 2023, affected a very extent region and caused a lot of loss of life and property. This paper presents preliminary results from geophysical measurements (Seismic Refraction Tomography-SRT, Multi-Channel Surface Wave Analysis-MASW and Microtremor-MT) on eight profiles in four provinces (Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Malatya, Gaziantep) to understand the relationship between subsurface properties and the destruction that occurs immediately after earthquakes. By analyzing the geophysical data, the dynamic-elastic properties of ground and the soil classification according to Vs30 were determined. It is generally understood that the near-surface (< ~ 10–15 m) units in the measurement areas are very loose, and the deeper ones (≥ ~ 15–20 m) have a very porous/fractured structure. Soil classes were defined as ZD (Malatya-1, Hatay-1 and Kahramanmaraş-1) and ZC (Malatya-2, Hatay-2, Gaziantep-1,2 and Kahramanmaraş-2). In addition, by evaluating the information of strong ground motion station closest to the measurement profiles, it is observed that the PGA values versus epicenter distances are higher at stations in the zone parallel to the direction of both faults than those in the perpendicular zones. This leads directivity effect in the propagation of earthquake waves. The results indicate that one of the basic reasons for the damages is that the earthquake-ground-structure relationship has not been fully and accurately reflected in building designs. Therefore, future researches involving more geophysical data and PGA values will provide more information about the structural, physical and geotechnical properties of subsurface and definitive results.

Crisis Management Experiences of Emergency Nurses in the Disaster of the Century: A Qualitative Study

Objective: It is a matter of curiosity what kind of a crisis emergency department nurses experienced regarding patient care and what kind of a solution method they developed to cope with this crisis during the two major earthquakes in Turkey, which were called "the disaster of the century". The problems experienced during patient care in a major disaster and the solutions developed need to be known to take precautions against greater threats. The research aimed to determine the experiences of emergency department nurses regarding the crises encountered in the disaster of the century by investigating them in depth. Methods: This is a qualitative study. This study was conducted with 18 nurses working in the emergency department of the pilot hospital, which was the tertiary care center in the disaster of the century, using in-depth interviews, and a qualitative research method. The data were subjected to content analysis. Results: As a result of content analysis, three main and five sub-themes were identified. The themes were: (1) problems related to safety; for patient and employee safety, (2) disruptions in patient care; teamwork, and support from other institutions, (3) psychosocial breakdown of emergency department nurses; burnout, anxiety, and helplessness. Conclusion: According to the statements of the participants, all necessary precautions were taken in terms of patient and staff safety, number of personnel, and material support to prevent serious crises during patient care. With the facilities available and offered, emergency clinic nurses took part in patient care in the emergency clinic for days without interruption. In the disaster of the century, it was determined that emergency clinic nurses were ready for patient care, but especially women experienced a complete psychosocial collapse.

An integrated simulation method for large‐scale earthquake‐induced falling debris in building groups

AbstractWhen building groups are subjected to earthquakes, the potential hazard of exterior falling debris poses a significant risk of causing severe injuries and fatalities. In this study, an integrated simulation method of the large‐scale earthquake‐induced exterior falling debris for building groups is proposed, which includes modeling, calculation, and visualization. Firstly, a modeling algorithm is established for falling debris models of building groups. This algorithm employs the Octree algorithm to support the transformation of the three‐dimensional (3D) building surface model into falling debris models. Subsequently, the generated falling debris models are aggregated using a density clustering algorithm, and their motion is efficiently calculated based on the physics engine and time history analysis. Finally, a cooperative visualization algorithm is developed to effectively present a 3D scene that incorporates both structural displacement and the motion of falling debris in building groups. The actual distribution of exterior falling debris during the earthquake in Turkey validates the proposed simulation method, which is then integrally applied to the Beijing central business district. This integrated simulation method has the capability to provide a large‐scale 3D scene of falling debris for the virtual safety drills of earthquake evacuation and rescue within urban building groups.

Experimental and Analytical Investigation of Moment-Carrying Capacities of Reinforced Concrete Frame Systems Corroded by Accelerated Corrosion Method

Technical investigations carried out after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey in the last 25 years show that one of the main causes of damage to reinforced concrete structures is reinforcement bar corrosion. The deterioration caused by reinforcement corrosion in reinforced concrete elements reduces the parameters that define the performance level of the structure, such as ductility, stiffness, bond-slip relationship, load carrying capacity, and energy absorption capacity. Therefore, determining the specified performance levels of reinforced concrete structures exposed to corrosion before any seismic activity occurs is of great importance in preventing loss of life and property. Cross-section behavior in reinforced concrete structures represents the load-bearing element behavior In order to accurately determine the section behavior, the Moment-Curvature relationship must be defined. In this study, the structural behavior of reinforced concrete frames exposed to corrosion was examined experimentally and analytically. For this purpose, 4 of the 5 reinforced concrete frame specimens constructed were corroded at different ratios using the accelerated corrosion method. After the corrosion process was completed, in the experimental part of the study, all specimens were tested under the effect of a 20% constant axial load and reversal-cyclic loading. In the analytical study, as a result of the cross-sectional analyzes carried out by taking into account the material-mechanical properties changing with the effect of corrosion, it was determined that the calculated moment values were in high predicted with the experimentally measured moment values.

Management of pediatric emergencies during natural disasters: The 2023 earthquake in Turkey

The earthquake that occurred in the southeastern region of Türkiye on February 6, 2023 resulted in extensive destruction, affecting 11 provinces and causing a death toll of almost 50,000 individuals. This review emphasizes the unique vulnerabilities that children face in the aftermath of earthquakes and stresses the significance of having preparedness plans specifically tailored to their needs. It is crucial to provide immediate emotional support to children and help them restore their normal routines in order to ensure their well-being. Additionally, emergency nutrition care and mental health services play a vital role in maintaining their long-term health. The disruption of healthcare services also increases the risk of infectious diseases, underscoring the urgency of vaccination efforts. It is crucial that healthcare providers should undergo training and collaborate with each other to adopt a comprehensive approach to pediatric disaster care.

Corruption in Turkey and earthquakes: Policies for tackling corruption in the construction sector

AbstractThe earthquake in Turkey has resulted in thousands of fatalities and injuries and is considered one of the worst natural disasters in recent history. The disaster has also brought to light another major issue in Turkey, namely, corruption. Failure to comply with building regulations and successive government amnesties for unlicensed construction contributed to the high death toll. This paper aims to draw attention to the ongoing issue of corruption and the potential life‐saving benefits of ethical practices in business and government. Finally, relevant useful policies targeting corruption in real estate have been proposed.

Application of Pebbles for Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI): Experimental Parametric Study

Low-income regions do not have the economic strength to use conventional isolators; therefore, low-cost alternatives are needed. The recent series of earthquakes in Turkey has once again demonstrated the destructive power of this natural disaster and highlighted the need for high-quality earthquake-resistant structures. In this context, a comprehensive experimental parametric study on the use of natural stone pebbles (ASL-1) and stone pebbles in combination with a geogrid layer (ASL-2) as suitable materials for a GSI system is conducted and the main results are presented. The seismic behavior of five different models was tested using four different acceleration diagrams with different peak ground accelerations (PGAs). Characteristic displacements, accelerations, and strains were measured. The results and conclusions presented are based on the integration and synthesis of several previously conducted studies.

School-based psychosocial and educational interventions for children and adolescents after the 1999 Marmara earthquakes in Turkey: A review on lessons learned

The massive earthquakes experienced in August and November 1999 affected thousands of people in the Marmara region, the most densely populated and industrialized part of Turkey. The humanitarian and economic cost was so enormous, and these earthquakes have changed the Turkish disaster management system and the Turkish people’s approach to disasters. Marmara earthquakes are also considered as a milestone in the provision of psychosocial services for disaster victims. This paper aims to review the psychosocial interventions targeting children, adolescents, and their families after the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey. The progression from initial responses to more organized psychosocial interventions is outlined. Conducting the interventions at schools has ensured that thousands of children, teachers, and parents are reached in the most efficient and effective way possible. The significance of the school context in designing psychosocial interventions is highlighted and implications of the lessons learned for traumatic experiences of children and parents are also explored. It is evaluated that these inferences obtained from the Marmara earthquake in Turkey can be used in disasters around the world.

Quantitative evaluation of the damage to RC buildings caused by the 2023 southeast Turkey earthquake sequence

Data from 15 earthquakes that occurred in 12 different countries are presented showing that, without better drift control, structures built with building codes allowing large seismic drifts are likely to keep leaving a wide wake of damage ranging from cracked partitions to building overturning. Following the earthquake sequence affecting southeast Turkey in 2023, a team led by Committee 133 of the American Concrete Institute surveyed nearly 250 reinforced concrete buildings in the area extending from Antakya to Malatya. Buildings ranging from 2 to 16 stories were surveyed to assess their damage and evaluate the robustness of their structures in relation to overall stiffness, as measured by the relative cross-sectional areas of structural walls and columns. The majority of the buildings were estimated to have been built in the past 10 years. Yet, the structures surveyed were observed to have amounts of structural walls and columns comparable with amounts reported after the Erzincan (1992), Duzce (1999), and Bingol (2003) Earthquakes in Turkey. These amounts are, on average, much smaller than the wall and column amounts used in Chile and Japan. Because of that lack of robustness and given the intensities of the motions reported from Antakya to Malatya (with 10 stations with peak ground velocity (PGV) of 100 cm/s or more), it is concluded that structures in this region experienced large drifts. Excessive drift (1) exposed a myriad of construction and detailing problems leading to severe structural damage and collapse, (2) induced overturning caused by p-delta for some buildings, and (3) caused widespread damage to brittle masonry partitions. The main lesson is simple: ductility is necessary but not sufficient. It is urgent that seismic drift limits are tightened in high-seismicity regions worldwide.

Coseismic Slip Distribution and Coulomb Stress Change of the 2023 MW 7.8 Pazarcik and MW 7.5 Elbistan Earthquakes in Turkey

On 6 February 2023, the MW 7.8 Pazarcik and the MW 7.5 Elbistan earthquakes occurred in southeastern Turkey, close to the Syrian border, causing many deaths and a great deal of property destruction. The Pazarcik earthquake mainly damaged the East Anatolian Fault Zone (EAFZ). The Elbistan earthquake mainly damaged the Cardak fault (CF) and the Doğanşehir fault (DF). In this study, Sentinel-1A ascending (ASC) and descending (DES) orbit image data and pixel offset tracking (POT) were used to derive surface deformation fields in the range and azimuth directions induced by the Pazarcik and Elbistan earthquakes (hereinafter referred to as the Turkey double earthquakes). Utilizing GPS coordinate sequence data, we computed the three-dimensional surface deformation resulting from the Turkey double earthquakes. The surface deformation InSAR and GPS results were combined to invert the coseismic slip distribution of the EAFZ, CF, and DF using a layered earth model. The results show that the coseismic ruptures of the Turkey double earthquakes were dominated by left-lateral strike-slips. The maximum slip was 7.76 m on the EAFZ and about 8.2 m on the CF. Both the earthquakes ruptured the surface. The Coulomb failure stress (CFS) was computed based on the fault slip distribution and the geometric parameters of all the active faults within 300 km of the MW 7.8 Pazarcik earthquake’s epicenter. The CFS change resulting from the Pazarcik earthquake suggests that the subsequent Elbistan earthquake was triggered by the Pazarcik earthquake. The Antakya fault experienced an increase in CFS of 8.4 bars during this double-earthquake event. Therefore, the MW 6.3 Uzunbağ earthquake on 20 February 2023 was jointly influenced by the Turkey double earthquakes. Through stress analysis of all the active faults within 300 km of the MW 7.8 Pazarcik earthquake’s epicenter, the Ecemis segment, Camliyayla fault, Aadag fault, Ayvali fault, and Pula segment were all found to be under stress loading. Particularly, the Ayvali fault and Pula segment exhibited conspicuous stress loading, signaling a higher risk of future seismic activity.

Unaddressed Health Risks among Foreign Volunteer Rescue Teams: Insights from the Turkish Earthquake Crisis in 2023 - A Case Study of the Indochina Team

Unaddressed Health Risks among Foreign Volunteer Rescue Teams: Insights from the Turkish Earthquake Crisis in 2023 - A Case Study of the Indochina Team

Synchronized and Co-Located Ionospheric and Atmospheric Anomalies Associated with the 2023 Mw 7.8 Turkey Earthquake

Earth observations from remotely sensed data have a substantial impact on natural hazard surveillance, specifically for earthquakes. The rapid emergence of diverse earthquake precursors has led to the exploration of different methodologies and datasets from various satellites to understand and address the complex nature of earthquake precursors. This study presents a novel technique to detect the ionospheric and atmospheric precursors using machine learning (ML). We examine the multiple precursors of different spatiotemporal nature from satellites in the ionosphere and atmosphere related to the Turkey earthquake on 6 February 2023 (Mw 7.8), in the form of total electron content (TEC), land surface temperature (LST), sea surface temperature (SST), air pressure (AP), relative humidity (RH), outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), and air temperature (AT). As a confutation analysis, we also statistically observe datasets of atmospheric parameters for the years 2021 and 2022 in the same epicentral region and time period as the 2023 Turkey earthquake. Moreover, the aim of this study is to find a synchronized and co-located window of possible earthquake anomalies by providing more evidence with standard deviation (STDEV) and nonlinear autoregressive network with exogenous inputs (NARX) models. It is noteworthy that both the statistical and ML methods demonstrate abnormal fluctuations as precursors within 6 to 7 days before the impending earthquake over the epicenter. Furthermore, the geomagnetic anomalies in the ionosphere are detected on the ninth day after the earthquake (Kp &gt; 4; Dst &lt; −70 nT; ap &gt; 50 nT). This study indicates the relevance of using multiple earthquake precursors in a synchronized window from ML methods to support the lithosphere–atmosphere–ionosphere coupling (LAIC) phenomenon.