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Maya Gross

Preparing for Disaster

On February 6th, 2023 at 4:17 am, an earthquake wreaked havoc on the countries of Turkey and Syria and the surrounding region in the middle east. It lasted a total of 80 seconds and still caused irreparable damage. At a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale, the quake was one of the strongest to hit the region in decades. It was caused by a slip in the large East Anatolian fault. To make matters worse, a second earthquake hit the region only nine hours later. After this intense seismic activity, it is no wonder why there were many aftershocks. Earthquakes are typically accompanied by aftershocks. Aftershocks are a series of smaller earthquakes that follow the larger “mainshock”. After the original quake, the plates must readjust after such a large seismic event. When the tectonic plates return to their original positions aftershocks occur. They occur in shallower areas than the original earthquake and decrease in frequency overtime. As of March 1st, over 11,000 aftershocks have occurred.


The earthquakes have resulted in more than 56,000 deaths, including deaths of those that came to provide aid. It is estimated that a staggering 8.8 million live in the areas most affected by these quakes. At least 230,000 buildings in Turkey and 10,600 in Syria were either partially or completely destroyed. The area had been struggling before, with over 4 million relying on humanitarian aid. With an estimated 32.4 billion dollars in damages, those efforts to support the region were amplified greatly. The governments had to seek foreign help and plead for assistance. Access to education, food, and a place to call home is compromised for some to this day. So, was there any way to prevent the devastating consequences of these earthquakes?


If there was a way of warning those residing in the area affected by the earthquake they could have taken proper action to escape the destruction. Unfortunately, current seismic activity monitoring can only identify an earthquake after it has begun. Seismometers allow us to detect and measure earthquakes by converting vibrations due to seismic waves into electrical signals. We can display these signals as seismograms on a computer screen. This allows scientists to study it and record things like size, depth, and location. Since no warning can be given residents are forced to suffer the surprise of tectonic plates. One of the most pressing problems was the destruction of buildings. Thanks to analyzing seismograms and studying the effect of seismic activity on buildings, scientists and architects have worked together to create a building that is earthquake resistant.


When an earthquake hits a building seismic S-waves (specifically love waves) create horizontal pressure, leading to collapse. To resist this pressure, a building can be made with a flexible foundation, a reinforced structure, and earthquake-resistant materials. A flexible foundation is created when the structure is constructed on top of flexible pads that isolate it from the ground.



When the earthquake hits only the base moves while the structure remains stationary. Concrete and plastic rings can also be constructed around the structure to reduce the effects of s-waves. Reinforcing a building’s structure with shear walls and cross braces counteract pressure and push force. While including horizontal frames distribute force to columns and walls making collapse less likely. Finally, materials like structural steel, wood, and futuristic materials like memory alloy can bend while strengthening the structure. In an earthquake-prone area like Turkey efforts to build these earthquake-resistant structures are a priority. The government, funded by the world bank, is reconstructing the damaged areas with these structures in the hopes of creating a safer, earthquake-resistant future.


**If you would like to help the victims of the February earthquakes, click here to donate. Any amount counts.



Works Cited

British Geological Survey. “How Are Earthquakes Detected?” British Geological Survey, 2023,

www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-geology/earth-hazards/earthquakes/how-are-earthquakes-detected/#:~:text=Seismometers%20allow%20us%20to%20detect.


CDP. “2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake.” Center for Disaster Philanthropy, 27 Mar. 2023,


“Foreshocks, Aftershocks - What’s the Difference? | U.S. Geological Survey.” Www.usgs.gov,


“How Earthquake-Proof Buildings Are Designed.” Big Rentz, 4 May 2022,


Subramaniam, Tara. “More than a Dozen Turkey Provinces Are under Weather Warnings.” CNN,

6 Feb. 2023,

www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/turkey-earthquake-latest-020623/h_b657d9e2e33d97c84d9a5d409c033a6c#:~:text=Temperatures%20are%20currently%20running%20around. Accessed 16 May 2023.


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