The Earth’s crust is divided into several large and small tectonic plates, which are constantly moving. When these plates interact with each other, they can cause seismic activities or earthquakes. There are different types of earthquakes classified based on aspects such as the movements of the tectonic plates and their location, including the strike-slip earthquake, which recently caused powerful tremors in Turkey.
Recent Strike-Slip Earthquake in Turkey
The most recent seismic activity in Turkey was a significant strike-slip earthquake. With a magnitude of 7.8, the earthquake struck along the well-known Anatolian tectonic block fault line. This particular earthquake was relatively shallow, making it more devastating as the effects were felt strongly on the surface. It was termed the most potent earthquake Turkey has witnessed in over a century, and the worst disaster since the Erzincan Earthquake in 1939, which caused extreme damages across the Erzincan Plain and the Kelkit River Valley.
Turkey’s Proneness to Earthquakes
Turkey’s geographical location plays a significant role in its susceptibility to regular seismic activity. It sits on the Anatolian tectonic plate, which borders two major faults – the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) and the East Anatolian Fault (EAF). The NAF cuts across the country from west to east, while the EAF is situated in the southeast region. NAF, in particular, is known to be devastating, as it accommodates much of the translational motion of the Anatolia block westwards with respect to Eurasia and Africa. The EAF is the tectonic boundary between the Anatolian Plate and the northward-moving Arabian Plate. Besides these fault lines, Turkey also experiences seismic activity due to the Aegean Sea Plate located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea under southern Greece and western Turkey. Almost 95% of Turkey’s land mass is prone to earthquakes, with a third of the country, including major cities like Istanbul and Izmir and the East Anatolia region, at high risk.
Difference between Regular and Strike-Slip Earthquakes
Tectonic plate movements differentiate regular earthquakes from strike-slip earthquakes. In a strike-slip earthquake, the tectonic plates move horizontally past each other, while in a regular earthquake, the movement is vertical. The location and type of faults also vary. For instance, strike-slip earthquakes usually occur along transform boundaries like the San Andreas Fault in California. In contrast, regular earthquakes usually occur along divergent or convergent plate boundaries where the plates move vertically, such as along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”. The cause of strike-slip earthquakes is due to the horizontal movement of the two plates against each other and the release of built-up strain.
Impact of Shallow Earthquakes
Shallow earthquakes, which typically occur at depths less than 70 km within the Earth’s crust, often result in strong ground shaking and surface faulting. They are generally more damaging than deep earthquakes as the seismic wave energy is released closer to the surface and leads to stronger ground motion and more intense shaking. Such earthquakes can significantly damage buildings and infrastructures and trigger landslides, rockfalls, and other secondary hazards. However, the extent of damage caused by an earthquake depends on various factors, including the earthquake’s magnitude, distance from the epicenter, depth, and the type of soil and geological conditions at the surface.
Seismic activities and earthquakes are complex and highly dynamic phenomena. As we continue to enhance our understanding of these occurrences through scientific research and technological advancements, we can better predict their behavior and strategize methodologies to mitigate their effects on human life and infrastructure.
Last Modified: February 20, 2024