Turkey-Syria Earthquake 2023 Flashcards
What caused this earthquake?
Tectonic activity along the east Anatolian fault (a major fault line that runs across southeastern turkey). This is a strike strip fault, where the plates slide past each other horizontally (conservative plate margin).
The rocks beneath the surface contain points of weakness, the movements cause the rocks to reform. Where the pressure builds up, the rock fractures along a fault. This pressure is released and caused the earthquake
How may the political instability between these two regions affect responses?
There will be disagreement about who pays for what damage, and which government should be in charge of building back up the boarder where the earthquake took place. Also, in the short term responses it was harder to get emergency teams/aid to the areas which were facing civil unrest as its unsafe to enter
How many people were killed and injured?
- 50,000 killed
- over 107,000 injured
How many people are now homeless?
- 1.5 million in Turkey
- 5.3 million in Syria (1 in 5)
How large was the biggest aftershock?
7.5 magnitude aftershock
What was the estimated economic cost?
Over 84.1 billion dollars
What were 3 primary affects of the earthquake?
INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE: key infrastructure including roads and bridges were heavily damaged
BUILDING COLLAPSE: thousands of buildings, including schools and hospitals collapsed. Approx 6650 buildings were destroyed
LOSS OF LIFE: resulted in tragic loss of life. Over 50,000 killed initially. Death toll was particularly high in densely populated areas were buildings weren’t earthquake resistant
What were 3 secondary affects of the earthquake?
FIRES: fires broke out in several areas due to ruptured gas lines and electrical faults. These destroyed further buildings. E.g. fire in the Iskenderun port, which led to significant damage and disruption in relief efforts
HEALTH CRISIS: the collapse of hospitals and the really cold whether created a health crisis. Outbreak of disease e.g. food and water bourne diseases and diarrhoea, due to poor sanitation
Also, respiratory infections as people were forced to live in crowded and polluted areas
AFTERSHOCKS: numerous aftershocks, most noticeable occurred just 9 hours after earthquake with a 7.5 M
Name short term responses to the earthquake
-Local people began to search for survivors in the rubble.
-Rescue teams from turkey and international organisations mobilised quickly to search for survivors
-80,000 Red Crescent staff and volunteers have worked to provide vital support for both countries
-Emergency aid, including food, water, medical supplies and blankets were distributed. The gov and organisations set up shelters
-people took to social media to share their location
-action aid launched an emergency response to meet the urgent needs of those effected (500 blankets to Syria
-German air force flew 40 rescuers to Turkey
Name 3 long term responses to the earthquake
-mental health support services have been established to help survivors cope with trauma and loss
-both countries are improving earthquake preparedness and response capabilities. Including updating building codes, conducting public awareness campaigns and improving emergency response systems
-the world bank approved $1 billion in financing to support turkeys recovery efforts. This is directed towards restoring essential public services and rebuilding buildings
Why is it likely that the ‘reconstruction phrase’ on the park model will take a long time to reach?
- aftershocks keep happening so they don’t know when to start rebuilding as it may get destroyed again
- Syria is politically unstable (wars) so there is already damage from conflict … this also slows down having a coordinated plan
-reliant on aid which they will eventually run out of - LIC and NEE countries so there economies arnt that great
- landscape (isolated areas and mountains) means that its hard for aid agencies to get in
- will take about 15 years for full recovery and within this another seismic event may occur
