Turkey Earthquake Research Articles

VULNERABILITY, SUFFERING AND THE LAW UNDER THE EARTHQUAKE

This paper focuses on the intersection of vulnerability, suffering, and the law in the context of the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey. The research critically examines the state's responsibility in addressing the vulnerabilities exacerbated by natural disasters. The paper argues that state institutions, by failing to act on prior knowledge and warnings about the earthquakes, displayed a form of culpable ignorance that intensified public vulnerability and suffering. The author draws upon Fineman's vulnerability theory and Fricker's concept of ignorance, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and responding to inherent human vulnerabilities and societal inequalities in legal and governmental frameworks. The lack of institutional resilience and effective response in the wake of the disaster highlights the need for law and policies grounded in the reality of human vulnerability. The author also explores the role of solidarity in crisis management, suggesting that community efforts can somewhat mitigate the failures of state institutions. The article asserts that legal reforms and international recognition of state responsibility in disaster management are crucial for addressing structural inequalities and improving resilience against future disasters.

Creating a neuroanatomy education model with augmented reality and virtual reality simulations of white matter tracts.

The utilization of digital technologies has experienced a notable surge, particularly in cases where access to cadavers is constrained, within the context of practical neuroanatomy training. This study evaluates augmented reality (AR)- and virtual reality (VR)-based educational models for neuroanatomy education. Three-dimensional models were created using advanced photogrammetry. VR- and AR-based educational models were developed by arranging these 3D models to align with the learning objectives of neurosurgery residents and second-year medical students whose cadaveric training was disrupted due to an earthquake in Turkey. Participants engaged with and evaluated the VR- and AR-based educational models, followed by the completion of a 20-item graded user experience survey. A 10-question mini-test was given to assess the baseline knowledge level prior to training and to measure the achievement of learning objectives after training. Forty neurosurgery residents were trained with a VR-based educational model using VR headsets. An AR-based educational model was provided online to 200 second-year medical students for their practical neuroanatomy lesson. The average correct answer rates before the training were 7.5/10 for residents and 4.8/10 for students. These rates were significantly improved after the training to 9.7/10 for residents and to 8.7/10 for students (p < 0.001). Feedback from the users concurred that VR- and AR-based training could significantly enhance the learning experience in the field of neuroanatomy. VR/AR-based educational models have the potential to improve education. VR/AR-based training systems can serve as an auxiliary tool in neuroanatomy training, offering a realistic alternative to traditional learning tools.

Stimulation of the collective memory of the 1999 Turkey earthquake through the Turkish media coverage of the 2023 earthquake

Turkey has been struck by several powerful earthquakes. Since the 1999 earthquake was the most recent and devastating earthquake before the last one happened in February 2023, many of these media channels’ depictions of the 2023 earthquake in Turkey may have been impacted by the collective memory of the 1999 earthquake. Collective memory of disasters and conflicts frequently takes on special significance as a mechanism for society to cope with the catastrophic events they have witnessed. Collective memory aids societies in dealing with the consequences of such events by giving a feeling of continuity as well as a structure for interpreting and comprehending what occurred. The media and social media are important in developing and conveying collective memory. They play an important role in framing events, transmitting details, and providing a forum for public debate. Social media, in addition to traditional media, has emerged as an innovative platform for the construction and diffusion of collective memory. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the Turkish media depicted the collective memory of the 1999 earthquake in the aftermath of the 2023 earthquake. If the collective memory of the 1999 earthquake is invoked in media coverage of the 2023 earthquake, how is it depicted in terms of lessons learned, public response, and influence on Turkish society? The study’s findings indicate that the analysis of Turkish media coverage pertaining to the 2023 earthquake has demonstrated a restricted collective recollection of the 1999 earthquake.

The Online Support System for Mental Health Problems After the Earthquake: A Prompt Response from The Psychiatric Association of Turkey

IntroductionPrevious research demonstrated that disasters have adverse mental health outcomes. Preventive mental health interventions in the golden hours/days after a disaster may reduce psychological harm by getting in the way of emerging mental disorders or alleviating existing ones. The widespread use of smartphones and broad internet access enabled remote mental health interventions during disasters. After the 2023 Turkey earthquake, observing the mental health burden of the earthquake, The Psychiatric Association of Turkey conducted an online platform for psychological first aid. The aim was to unite volunteer psychiatrists and disaster survivors.ObjectivesThis study presents the organization of an online mental health service during a disaster while reporting the characteristics of the service users.MethodsThe Psychiatric Association of Turkey called its members to volunteer for an Online Support System for Mental Problems After the Earthquake. The group regularly united to set standards of care. An action plan and algorithm were set up for applicants with acute suicidal, homicidal risk, or active psychotic symptoms in collaboration with local institutions and field volunteers. Volunteer psychiatrists were asked to collect information on the applicant’s sociodemographic characteristics, disaster experience, and mental health status.ResultsVolunteer psychiatrists collected data on 180 applications. Most cases applied for themselves (%95.5), and some asked for advice to care for their relatives (%4.5). Earthquake survivors have the highest psychopathology rate (%64.9), followed by healthcare workers and search and rescue personnel (%61.1). Figure 1 summarizes the subgroups of the service users. The earthquake survivors group had a mean age of 34.45, % and 76.1 of them were female. Only %15.7 of them had lower educational levels than high school. %75 cases reached safe places on the 5th day of the disaster. Applicants reported discrimination and aggression after the catastrophe, related to experiencing mental health problems, owning a pet, looting, and being seen as less traumatized since their relatives are alive.Image:ConclusionsThe present experience of the Psychiatric Association of Turkey is an example of a fast and collaborative response to a disaster regarding mental health. Our results also represent the characteristics of online mental health service users during a disaster.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Emergency Swarm: A Digital Fabrication Collective for Post-disaster Scenarios

Earthquakes in Turkey serve as unfortunate reminders etched in collective memory. Despite years of preparation by governmental and civil organizations for the devastating impacts of earthquakes, organizational challenges persist in the post-disaster. Disasters like the February 6 earthquakes, for which we directed all available resources post-disaster, often exceed the capacity of existing organizations. To address such limitations in the future, the integration of digital fabrication tools and artificial intelligence supported organization of civil collectives emerges as a potential game-changer in disaster management. Within this framework, the paper delves into open-source architectural approaches, placing digital fabrication tools at the forefront, and explores their application in emergency scenarios. The culmination of this research proposes the formation of a collective named Emergency Swarm, managed by artificial intelligence bots through the Discord network. The paper details the flow of data within this network and outlines how stakeholders will interact. The conclusion sparks a discussion on the future directions and applications of this innovative network, contemplating its potential to revolutionize disaster response strategies and enhance the resilience of communities in the face of unforeseen challenges.

Türkiye’de Kahramanmaraş Depremi’nden Sonra Hemşirelik Öğrencilerinde Yaşanan Travmatik Stres Belirtileri, Fiziksel Belirtiler ve Psikolojik Sağlamlık

Bu çalışmanın amacı; Kahramanmaraş depremi sonrasında öğrencilerin yaşadıkları duygusal, bilişsel, fiziksel ve davranışsal tepkilerini ve psikolojik sağlamlık durumlarını incelemektir. Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel tipte olan çalışma, 01.04.2023-30.04.2023 tarihleri arasında 358 öğrenci ile yürütüldü. Verilerin toplanmasında kişisel bilgi formu, Travmatik Stres Belirti Ölçeği, Hasta Sağlık Anketi (PHQ)-15 (Somatizasyon), Kısa Psikolojik Sağlamlık Ölçeği kullanıldı. Katılımcıların Travmatik Stres Belirtileri Ölçeği puan ortalamaları 35,91±12,38 iken Hasta Sağlık Ölçeği puan ortalamaları 11,49±7,35 ve Kısa Psikolojik Sağlamlık Ölçeği puan ortalamaları 17,02±4,15 olarak belirlendi. Katılımcıların travmatik stres belirti puanı değişiminin %12’si psikolojik sağlamlık değişkeni ile, (R2 = 0.12, p = 0.00) Hasta Sağlık Ölçeği puanı değişiminin %9’u psikolojik sağlamlık değişkeni ile açıklanmaktadır (R2 = 0.09, p = 0.00). Travmatik stres belirtileri ölçeğinden alınan puanların yüksek, somatik belirtilerin ve psikolojik sağlamlık düzeylerinin orta düzeyde olduğu görülmektedir. Psikolojik sağlamlığın travmatik stres belirtileri ve fiziksel belirtiler üzerinde etkisi vardır.

Temporal Characteristics of the February 6, 2023 MW7.8, Turkey Earthquake Aftershock Sequence

The devastating earthquake with moment magnitude MW7.8, (local magnitude ML=7.5) which occurred in the East Anatolian Fault Zone, westwards of Gaziantep, Turkey on February 6, 2023 was followed by an intensive aftershock activity. Studying time distribution of aftershocks is important for understanding physics of the earthquake generation process.&#x0D; In the present study temporal pattern of aftershock sequence of the 2023 MW7.8 Turkey earthquake is analyzed. Because of the factors such as location and radiation pattern and the cumulative nature of building damage, aftershocks can cause more damage than the main shock. The temporal clustering of aftershocks is a dominant non-random element of the seismicity, so when the clusters are removed, the remaining activity can be modelled (as first approximation) as a Poisson process.&#x0D; On the assumption that aftershocks are distributed in time as a non-stationary Poisson process, we use the maximum likelihood method for estimating the parameters (K, c and p) of the modified Omori formula. For testing the goodness of fit between the aftershock occurrence and different statistical models, a transformation from the time scale t to a frequency-linearized time scale τ is applied. Akaike's information criteria is used to select the best model for the temporal distribution of aftershocks.&#x0D; It has been found that temporal distribution of the 2023 Turkey earthquake aftershocks is dominated by the classic power law decay in time and suggests the existence of secondary aftershock activity.

Evaluation of Different Strengthening Projects of Yenice Kalaycılar Primary School According to 2007 and 2019 Turkish Earthquake Regulations

Earthquakes that frequently occur in Turkey may cause structural damage in structures, and/or existing structures cannot provide the new earthquake code requirements. This matter requires us to check the static suitability of existing structures and strengthen them when necessary. In this article, a comparative evaluation of two different strengthening projects, which are considered to be implemented in Kalaycılar primary school in Yenice district of Karabük province, according to 2007 and 2019 Turkish earthquake regulations, is made. For this purpose, the survey projects of the said school building were first prepared, and laboratory experiments were carried out according to the level of comprehensive knowledge. Then, according to the findings obtained from the laboratory experiments, the performance analyses of the school building in question were made according to the 2007 and 2019 Turkish earthquake regulations. According to carried out the performance analyses, two different strengthening projects prepared for the school building have presented some results and suggestions by comparing the 2007 and 2019 Turkish earthquake regulations.

Investigation of Earthquakes in Turkey with Cluster Analysis

In this study, earthquakes with a magnitude of 3 and above occurring between 36-42 degrees North latitude and 26-45 degrees East longitude, within and around Turkey from 1980 to 2022, were considered. Turkey and its immediate surroundings were divided into 114-unit squares using latitude and longitude coordinates to investigate seismic similarities. The variables including 50130 earthquake depths and magnitudes in our data set were analyzed using the {K-Means Cluster Analysis} method in the SPSS program. Hierarchical clustering method was used to determine the number of clusters and the number of clusters was determined as 5 with the help of the dendrogram obtained. As a result of the cluster analysis, it was observed that 47% of the earthquakes in Turkey were at a depth of 5 to 10 km. It has been observed that 93% of the earthquake intensities occur between 3 and 4 magnitudes. A cluster analysis was conducted to assess the similarities and dissimilarities among earthquakes within these unit squares in terms of their magnitudes and depths. Due to the large sample size and the analysis involving continuous variables, the earthquake data were grouped into 5 clusters using non-hierarchical clustering methods, and the relationships within and between these clusters were observed.

Earthquake conspiracy discussion on Twitter

Natural disasters like earthquakes, and global crises like pandemics have historically captured the public’s imagination and prompted people to seek explanations. However, in times of limited information, these explanations can take the form of conspiracy theories, particularly regarding the origins or causes of such events. With the advent of social media conspiracy theories can spread quickly and easily, leaving little room for critical thinking. The focus of this study is the analysis of the so-called High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) conspiracy, which explains earthquakes through the employment of secret weather control weapons. This study aims to answer the research question of how the discourse on the HAARP conspiracy theory changes over time, and what are the potential catalysts for heightened attention to this conspiracy theory. This study uses the Twitter API to collect tweet frequencies about this conspiracy from January 2022 through March 2023. The empirical data include over one million tweets on HAARP. The sentiment analysis of the HAARP conspiracy theory is applied to the tweets before, during, and after the 6th of February 2023 earthquake in Syria and Turkey. In addition, this study investigates possible triggers of the development of the HAARP tweet frequency. This study finds that the frequency of HAARP discussion increases following a high-impact earthquake. There is also a positive correlation between average tweet sentiment and the number of tweets, which could indicate that the discussion of HAARP reinforces people’s beliefs. This study makes a significant contribution to the field of social psychology and communication by providing insights into the dynamics of belief reinforcement within online communities amidst heightened attention to conspiracy theories triggered by significant events. This knowledge has broader implications for understanding the impact of social media on public perception during crises.

An agent-based resilience model of oil tank farms exposed to earthquakes

Frequent unpredictable earthquake disasters such as the Turkey Earthquake in 2023 pose an increasing threat to oil tank farms since they may trigger major accidents and domino effects, resulting in casualties, economic losses, and environmental pollution. Unpredictable earthquakes are definitely difficult to prevent and thus resilience strategies such as emergency response should be applied to reduce losses. However, little attention has been paid to the quantitative resilience modeling of oil tank farms, resulting in difficulties in decision-making on resilience assessment and management. Therefore, this study proposes a quantitative seismic resilience model of oil storage tanks by using a dynamic agent-based modeling approach. This approach models the storage tank, active fault, and the environment as three independent agents with their attributes and behaviors. The interaction between agents can also be modeled through disaster evolution rules, and the consequences of interactions can be adjusted through adaptation and recovery strategies. The dynamic propagation of earthquake accidents and the evolution of potential domino effects can be quantified from a bottom-up perspective, thereby quantifying the seismic resilience of oil tank farms. A case study is carried out to illustrate the application of the developed model in oil tank farms and to analyze the sensitivity of different model parameters. The results show that the developed model can dynamically characterize the evolution of earthquake-induced domino effects as well as the emergency and restoration processes, supporting the decision-making on the allocation of resilience measures.

Islamic Coping, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Islam Oriented Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (IO-TF-CBT) in Post-Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Period

The Great Southeast Turkey Earthquakes (GSTE) of February 2023 were not only a physical disaster but also seem to have triggered the onset of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among survivors in Kahramanmaraş and surrounding areas. This review emphasizes the need for culturally appropriate clinical interventions in PTSD therapies, addressing the psychological impacts left by the earthquakes. The Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) models implemented after the 1999 Marmara earthquake failed to integrate cultural and Islamic thoughts effectively. With this critical perspective, the article advocates for a holistic healing process that integrates Islamic coping mechanisms with clinical psychology. The importance of religious and spiritual practices in PTSD recovery, especially reliance on Allah, patience, the concept of ummah, prayer, almsgiving, and belief in destiny, is highlighted. While analyzing the potential effectiveness of Islamic approaches in PTSD rehabilitation, the study criticizes the inadequacies of current clinical practices and advocates for the adoption of faith-integrated therapeutic strategies. It proposes a structured methodology for Islamic-Oriented TF-CBT that integrates spiritual practices with scientifically supported psychological interventions, highlighting the gaps in current practices. The aim is to bridge the gap between Islamic practices and clinical psychology, offering a treatment approach compatible with the religious values and traditions of the Muslim population affected by the GSTE. This critical perspective strengthens the call for progress towards cultural competency in mental health services, ensuring that PTSD treatments adapt to the diversity and complexity of earthquake victims. The article emphasizes the need to comprehensively address the psychological needs of individuals affected by the GSTE, particularly those battling PTSD. Recognizing PTSD as not only an individual disorder but also a societal issue, the study suggests that treatment processes should consider not only the individual but also the community. The importance of community-based interventions is highlighted, discussing the current shortcomings and areas for development in this field. In conclusion, the article underscores the significance of cultural sensitivity and community-based approaches in PTSD treatment, calling for more research and implementation in this area.

Advances in Rapid Damage Identification Methods for Post-Disaster Regional Buildings Based on Remote Sensing Images: A Survey

After a disaster, ascertaining the operational state of extensive infrastructures and building clusters on a regional scale is critical for rapid decision-making and initial response. In this context, the use of remote sensing imagery has been acknowledged as a valuable adjunct to simulation model-based prediction methods. However, a key question arises: how to link these images to dependable assessment results, given their inherent limitations in incompleteness, suboptimal quality, and low resolution? This article comprehensively reviews the methods for post-disaster building damage recognition through remote sensing, with particular emphasis on a thorough discussion of the challenges encountered in building damage detection and the various approaches attempted based on the resultant findings. We delineate the process of the literature review, the research workflow, and the critical areas in the present study. The analysis result highlights the merits of image-based recognition methods, such as low cost, high efficiency, and extensive coverage. As a result, the evolution of building damage recognition methods using post-disaster remote sensing images is categorized into three critical stages: the visual inspection stage, the pure algorithm stage, and the data-driven algorithm stage. Crucial advances in algorithms pertinent to the present research topic are comprehensively reviewed, with details on their motivation, key innovation, and quantified effectiveness as assessed through test data. Finally, a case study is performed, involving seven state-of-the-art AI models, which are applied to sample sets of remote sensing images obtained from the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake in Japan and the 2023 Turkey earthquake. To facilitate a cohesive and thorough grasp of these algorithms in their implementation and practical application, we have deliberated on the analytical outcomes and accentuated the characteristics of each method through the practitioner’s lens. Additionally, we propose recommendations for improvements to be considered in the advancement of advanced algorithms.

Reflections of Children Victims of the Turkey Earthquake on February 6, 2023 to a Pediatric Emergency Department Far Away

Objective: After the earthquake, which was called the ‘Disaster of the Century’, which affected 11 provinces in our country on February 06, 2023 we presented the reflection of the grievances of children who were not trapped under the rubble in a pediatric emergency clinic 700 km away from the region. This study was aimed to evaluate the pediatric ‘earthquake victims’ patients, who were not trapped under the rubble, applied to the pediatric emergency department (PED) of a tertiary care children’s hospital. Material and Methods: Between 7 February 2023 and 22 February 2023, the data of pediatric ‘earthquake victims’ who applied in the first 15 days after the earthquake to the PED of our hospital and were not trapped under the rubble, evaluated retrospectively. The admission times of the patients were divided into three groups as early, mid-term and late admissions. The age, gender, nationality, complaint and clinical characteristics of the patients, the province where they were exposed to the earthquake, the time from the moment of the earthquake to the application, the mode of transportation to the hospital diagnosis and treatments were recorded. Results: The study included 719 earthquake victim children. Median age of patients was 49 months (IQR 16 – 105), 387 were male (53.8%). According to age classification, infancy (n=131; 18.2%), early childhood (n=192; 26.7%) and middle childhood (n=207; 28.8%) were the most frequent admissions. The first admission to our hospital after the earthquake was 19 hours later. Thirty five (4.8%) patients were applied due to accidents during the earthquake. The leading diagnoses of the patients applied were upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (33.9%), acute gastroenteritis (14.4%) and otitis media (11.2%). Six hundred and sixty (91.8%) patients were discharged from the emergency department, 59 (8.2%) were hospitalized. Conclusion: In the first days, while secondary accidents were at the forefront of the earthquake, in the following days, infections followed. Children are the most vulnerable group in disasters. For this reason, good planning should be done to deal with secondary accidents, infectious diseases and special medical conditions that may occur during the ‘healing’ period after disasters.

Effects of the Kahramanmaras, Turkey 2023 earthquakes on balance perception, dizziness and post-traumatic stress: A relational screening model between subjective balance problems and post-traumatic stress

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Turkey and recurrent aftershocks on balance and post-traumatic stress in surviving victims. MethodsOur study included 1004 participants aged 18–65 years who were exposed to the February 6 earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkey. After obtaining online consent from all participants, the Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS), the Dizziness Handicap Index (DHI), and the Posttraumatic Post-Traumatic Disorder Checklist Scale (PCL-5) were administered online, and the interactions between the variable sets were examined using a correlational screening model. ResultsAs a result of the structural equation model established with the observed variables, it was found that VSS total scores had a statistically significant positive effect on PCL-5 (β1 = 0.56; p = 0.001 < 0.05). In addition, statistically significant positive high-level correlations were found between VSS and DHI (covVSS-DHI = 0.71), and a positive low level correlation with the number of days with dizziness (covVSS-number of days with dizziness = 0.34), and a positive low level correlation with frequency of days with dizziness (covVSS-frequency of days with dizziness = 0.37). A statistically significant positive low-level relationship was found between DHI and the number of days with dizziness (covDHI-number of days with dizziness = 0.34) and a positive low-level correlation between DHI and the frequency of days with dizziness (covDHI-frequency of days with dizziness = 0.29). ConclusionThe structural equation modeling analysis showed that post-traumatic stress disorder had a significant effect on balance and dizziness.

Earthquake Experiences of Nursing Students Residing in Earthquake Zone, the Disaster of the Century: A Qualitative Study.

This study was carried out to examine the experiences of nursing department students regarding earthquakes with a phenomenological approach. The type of research is phenomenological research, one of the qualitative research methods. The research was carried out with 22 nursing students who experienced the earthquake in the Turkey earthquake on February 6, 2023. The data were collected using the "Semi-Structured Interview Form". In this study, "earthquake experience" was discussed as a phenomenon, and the data obtained from the phenomenon after content analysis were evaluated in five themes as follows: Experiences during the earthquake, experiences after the earthquake, search-rescue operations, social support and daily life after the earthquake. It was seen that they acted with the instinct of protection during the earthquake and then tried to shelter and communicate. The study reveal that the disaster preparedness and competencies of nursing students should be increased.

Psychiatric Morbidity and Suicidal Ideation Among Early Survivors Following the 2023 Kahramanmaras Earthquake in Turkey

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of psychiatric morbidity along with sociodemographic and earthquake-related data on suicidal ideation among survivors of the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake in Turkey. Method The study included 270 volunteers who experienced the 2023 earthquake in Kahramanmaras, a province in middle east region of Turkey. These individuals were informed of the use of their personal data within the scope of the personal data protection law numbered 6698 and consent was obtained. The volunteers participated in the study online and were evaluated with a sociodemographic data form, Suicidal Ideation Scale and DSM-5 level one cross-sectional symptom scale. Results Single individuals (p = .009) and those who stated that they had insufficient social support (p = .001), had been injured or had lost a relative during the earthquake (p = .02), felt discrimination-exclusion after the earthquake (p = .03), and those who could not attend the funeral or funeral ceremony of their deceased relative (p < .001) scored higher on the Suicidal Ideation Scale. The DSM-5 level one cross-sectional symptom scale scores indicated that the scores in the depression (p = .024), somatization (p = .001), personality (p < .001) and addiction (0.039) subscales were more related to suicidal ideation. Conclusion After a mass trauma, it is very important to investigate the risk factors that may be associated with suicidal ideation among survivors and to be aware of possible psychiatric symptoms. Preventive actions in the earthquake-affected regions can be made more effective by considering these factors.

Indications for an alternative breaking of symmetry in fracture-induced electromagnetic emissions recorded prior to the 2023 Mw7.8 and Mw7.5 Turkey Earthquakes

Several evidence has been reported corroborating the view that the MHz band fracture-induced electromagnetic emissions (FEME), also known as fracture-induced electromagnetic radiation (FEMR), which are detected prior to shallow main earthquakes (EQs) of moment magnitude Mw>5.5 with epicenters on land or near coastline, can be studied in analogy to a Z(2) spin system undergoing a second-order phase transition. Specifically, by analyzing MHz FEME/FEMR time series recorded prior to several earthquakes in the past >20 years, information has been extracted about the organization to critical state, the critical state itself, as well as for the step-by-step development of the spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) phenomenon. Using the “method of critical fluctuations” (MCF) and a recently proposed method for the wavelet-based detection of scaling behavior in noisy experimental data, we identified for the first time a different way of breaking the symmetry embedded in the MHz FEME/FEMR time series recorded by the hELlenic Seismo-ElectroMagnetics Network (ELSEM-Net) prior to the devastating (Mw=7.8 and Mw=7.5) EQs that occurred in south-east Turkey on 06/02/2023. Particularly, after the achievement of the critical state, indications were found that, although the underlying system started to break the symmetry according to the second-order phase transition mechanism (through SSB), SSB was not completed. Instead, the system seems to have changed symmetry and presented indications that the break of symmetry was finally achieved according to the first-order phase transition mechanism. Specifically, after the incomplete SSB, it was found to present tricritical behavior, followed by indications of triple degeneration of the order parameter fixed-point. This change of behavior observed in the MHz FEME/FEMR is a puzzling phenomenon for several reasons, which are discussed in detail, whereas suggestions are expressed as a first attempt for the possible explanation of the new findings.

6 Months After the Great Earthquake: 2023 Turkey Earthquake News and its Impact on Anxiety Levels and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Adolescents

Giriş: Depremler ve oluşturduğu etkiler küresel sağlık sorunlarına neden olmaktadır. Kaygı ve travma sonrası stres bozukluğu depremlerin ardından görülen en yaygın olumsuz psikolojik tepki olarak kabul edilmektedir. Bu araştırmada deprem haberlerinin ergenlerde kaygı ve travma sonrası stres bozukluğu belirtileriyle ilişkisi ve bu ilişkiye aracılık eden risk faktörlerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Kesitsel-tanımlayıcı modeldeki bu çalışma, depremden altı ay sonra Türkiye'nin doğusunda yer alan bir bölgedeki lise öğrencileriyle yürütülmüştür. Küme örnekleme yöntemiyle yüz yüze görüşme tekniğinin kullanıldığı araştırmaya 487 ergen katılmıştır. Kaygının travma stres belirtileri üzerindeki rolünü değerlendirmek amacıyla yapısal eşitlik modeli analizi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Ergenlerin kaygı ve travma sonrası stres belirtileri puanlarının orta düzeyde olduğu belirlenmiştir. Kaygının travma sonrası stres belirtilerini etkilediği, kronik veya psikiyatrik hastalığı olanların, daha önce enkaz altında kalan veya yaralanan herhangi bir yakını olanların, sürekli olarak deprem olacağı endişesi taşıyanların, depremle ilgili haber veya yayınları izleyenlerin kaygı ve travma sonrası stres puanları yüksek bulunmuştur. Sonuç: Uygun olmayan haber içerikleri ve yayınların çocuk ve ergenleri etkileyebileceği unutulmamalıdır. Ebeveynlerin özellikle deprem sonrası haber kanalları ve sosyal medyada çocuklarının izlediği içerikleri kontrol etmesi önemlidir. Doğal afetlerden etkilenen ergenlere, özellikle kaygı ve travma sonrası stres belirtileri gibi ruhsal problemler açısından yüksek risk taşıyanlara, bireyselleştirilmiş ve uygun psikososyal müdahaleler verilmelidir.

One disaster two traumas: Being under rubble and burn injuries in the 2023 Maraş, Turkey earthquakes

IntroductionOn February 6, 2023, two separate destructive earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.5 occurred in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. More than 50,000 people lost their lives, and over 100,000 were reported injured. In this study, patients referred to hospitals with burn diagnosis and management of burn wounds following the disaster were evaluated. Material and methodsInformation on burn injury admissions related to the earthquake was collected from all burn facilities in the country within 15 days after the earthquake. The patients' demographics, being under rubble, rescue times, burn causes, grafting procedures, and deaths were recorded. ResultsFollowing the earthquake, burn victims were transferred to the 13 Burn Treatment Centers located in 10 provinces. A total of 191 patients were burned. Among the burn patients, 101 (52.9%) were rescued from the rubble 2–60 h after the earthquake. Eight patients who were hospitalized at the burn centers died. Scalding and flame burns were the most common etiologies. Burned total body surface area, concomitant crush injury, hospitalization, and mortality was higher among the patients trapped under rubble (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Victims who stayed longer time under the rubble required significantly more grafting procedures (p < 0.001). ConclusionIn a literature review, it was observed that there are a limited number of publications reporting earthquake-related burns. In the February, 6 Türkiye earthquake, flame burns were seen due to small fires that occurred in collapsed buildings during the earthquake. And also contact burns and hot liquid burns were seen in earthquake victims trapped under rubble. Bursting hot water pipes, overturned stoves, contact with hot central heating radiators, and heated construction irons caused scalding and contact burns. It is believed that prolonged entrapment may cause delays in burn treatment or lead to deeper burns due to prolonged contact with the burning agent, increasing hospitalization rates. This earthquake once again drew attention to burn injuries that could occur during and after earthquakes, including those that may occur under rubble.