What are the causes of the destruction from the earthquake in Turkey in 2023?

What was the magnitude of the earthquake?

The earthquake in Turkey began late at night and continued into the early morning of February 6, 2023, reaching a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale. In comparison, the record earthquake occurred in Chile in 1960, where the magnitude was an incredible 9.5. Equally devastating events took place in Japan: in 2011, the tremors also reached 9 on the scale, followed by the horrific disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, and in 1995, the city of Kobe on Honshu faced severe destruction.

Which regions have experienced the most significant impacts?

The main destruction was recorded in the central and southern parts of Turkey, where tremors were felt in 15 out of 91 provinces, known as ilal. The terrible impact affected 11 regions, and the death toll has risen to tens of thousands... This is a real disaster.

On the geographical map, you can observe the main destructive tremors and subsequent aftershocks, which had a magnitude of 4 and above. For more detailed information, subscribe to our Telegram channel, where we share unique news regarding the real estate market, immigration, and investments.

Which areas were affected the most?

The most significant destruction occurred in the province of Hatay, located on the border with Syria and along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Less well-known provinces that were also heavily affected include:

• Gaziantep
• Adıyaman
• Kahramanmaraş

In Kahramanmaraş, the most powerful tremors were recorded. These regions, despite their importance and dynamic development, often remain off the tourist radar. For example, the population of Gaziantep exceeds 2 million people.

Continuation of underground tremors

Unfortunately, the underground tremors did not subside even a week and a half after the main event, with the last such activity observed on the night of February 16-17, although the subsequent tremors were significantly weaker. How did things stand in well-known tourist spots?

Istanbul

Filipp Berezin.By chance, I found myself in Istanbul during the tragedy of February 5-6. Powerful winds were raging in the city, and icy rain mixed with snow was falling. Over the course of two days, many flights were rescheduled, canceled, or postponed, but the tremors themselves were not felt here.

Alanya

Alexandra Kabakchi, Ataberk Estate.We didn't feel a serious impact from the earthquake. Some colleagues only learned about the disaster in the morning through the news. In the Oba area, I felt slight tremors early in the morning at 4:30, and our house was noticeably shaking. Of course, we panicked and went outside, but after a few hours, we returned back inside.

In our region, no destruction was observed; however, the tragic events had a significant impact on life in Alanya and Antalya. The influx of people left homeless by the disaster sought refuge in safe areas, which exacerbated the atmosphere and daily life in these cities, triggering a new wave of solidarity and mutual aid among the residents.

I feel genuine admiration for how the residents of Alanya, including foreigners, demonstrate unity in difficult circumstances. Such cohesion among people is very rare and serves as an example of solidarity.

Events of February 5

On February 5th, at 4 a.m., Mersina Danilova, being in her home, suddenly woke up to a loud noise. The ceiling light began to shake, and she immediately grabbed her dog and rushed outside. When the situation calmed down a bit, they returned to get the necessary things.

In the morning, they felt new underground tremors again, staying away from tall buildings. In the face of uncertainty, they decided to leave the city for a few days for their own safety. Now they are returning, and as Mersina reports, there is hardly any visible damage in the Mersin area. She checked her apartment in a high-rise building and didn't find even small cracks.

The number of destroyed buildings

As for the information on the number of destroyed buildings, it is constantly being updated. As of February 15, it became known that:

• Approximately 80,000 residential properties have either been completely destroyed or severely damaged;
• About 12,000 of these objects are accounted for by multi-story buildings.

Can we assert that the majority of the destroyed buildings are old constructions? In general, this assumption can be confirmed, although in several towns, especially in Adiyaman and Kahramanmaraş, even new buildings were affected. One of the most resonant stories was the collapse of the "Renaissance" residential complex in Antakya, which was built in 2011 and had 250 apartments, raising questions about the quality of construction. Nevertheless, experts emphasize that about 98% of the affected buildings were erected in the 20th century.

The guilt of the builders

Is it possible to discuss the causes of the tragedy from the perspective of the builders' behavior? In some cases, builders have already become the subject of criminal investigations. The Turkish Ministry of Justice initiated a review, during which arrests began just five days after the disaster. Among those detained was an architect, as well as the contractor responsible for the construction of the mentioned residential complex "Renaissance."

Regulation of construction in seismically active areas

How is construction monitored in seismic hazard zones? In Turkey, there are several regulations governing this issue, including:

• Zoning Law No. 3194;
• Law on Construction Inspection No.

The scale of the problem of construction violations

Although there are various estimates of the scale of the problem, different experts claim that the number of buildings constructed in violation of regulations can range from several thousand to hundreds of thousands. However, it is important not to place all the blame on the builders. Since the 1960s, Turkey has actively used construction amnesties, which effectively allowed for the disregard of regulations. The last such concession was in effect in 2018.

Changes in the lives of Turks after the tragedy

What will change in the lives of people in Turkey after the recent tragic events? It is clear that the consequences of these events will be very serious. A significant number of residents will likely be forced to leave unsafe areas.

Tens of thousands of people have already moved to places like Antalya and Alanya, which in turn has affected the balance of supply and demand in these markets. It has been noted that interest in real estate in safer seismic zones, such as the Mediterranean coast, will undoubtedly increase.

Forecasts for the future from experts

Alexandra Kabakchi emphasizes:“The president of the country assured that in the next twelve months, large-scale restoration and construction of housing in the affected areas will begin. However, wealthy citizens are unlikely to wait for the completion of the restoration work — most of them will choose to relocate to more peaceful and safe places.”Looking at the seismic map of Turkey, one can notice that regions such as Antalya and Alanya, as well as the central parts of the country around the city of Konya, are in the white and pink zones. This indicates their potential for faster growth and development.

Construction boom and its consequences

In the coming years, a construction boom is expected in the country. However, a shortage of building materials is anticipated to complicate the completion of projects on time. The construction materials market will undoubtedly respond to this situation with rising prices, which will subsequently affect property values in various areas.

Demand for construction materials

Yulia Baidan from Profit Real Estateagency is inquiring:“What do you think the demand for construction materials in Turkey will be in the near future? I’m sure that construction costs are likely to increase.”This will undoubtedly affect cities like Alanya and Antalya, where there is already a shortage of space for new developments. The lines between areas where local residents and foreign buyers traditionally purchased housing are becoming blurred.

Wealthy citizens, especially from central Turkey, will also show interest in real estate in the specified regions, and I am almost certain that prices will rise even more.

Changes in the process of obtaining permits

In addition, there will be changes in the timelines for obtaining permits for construction projects. Authorities must demonstrate their ability to regulate the construction sector. Alexandra Kabakchi comments on the current situation as follows:“Tighter regulations are expected at every stage — from the registration of construction companies to obtaining permits and inspecting completed projects.”

On one hand, this can be seen as a positive measure, as the construction sector will start to be regulated more strictly. On the other hand, the process of obtaining the necessary documents may take longer and become more complicated.

Thus, changes in legislation and increased regulation can significantly impact the entire construction cycle, creating additional barriers for developers, which will ultimately affect the real estate market in the country.

Conclusion

In concluding the discussion about the tragedy caused by the earthquake in Turkey, one cannot help but reflect on the bigger picture. This disaster has highlighted not only the vulnerability of buildings in a country where seismic activity is a part of life, but also the undeniable suffering of countless people who have lost loved ones, homes, and their way of life.Magnitude 7.8became a symbol of the destruction that the world will remember for a long time.

Since February 6, 2023, just before the end of the winter season, a true disaster struck Turkey, claiming many lives and destroying entire cities. Every report read, every message about lost lives is not just a statistic, but human stories filled with hope for recovery and a new life.Cohesion of the local populationThe solidarity that has emerged in such difficult times is both admirable and inspiring. People who may not have known each other before have come together to support those affected, offering all possible help to those in need. This sign of unity, this humane gesture, is a bright spot against the backdrop of an inhumane tragedy.

Responsibility for the future

The commission for investigating crimes, established by the Minister of Justice, emphasizes the importance of accountability for compliance with building codes and regulations. The system designed to protect citizens from natural disasters has proven to be insufficiently effective. The case of the "Renaissance" and other similar incidents serve as a stark reminder that stricter adherence to norms and standards is necessary, especially when it comes to seismically hazardous areas.

Lessons of the past

Comparing the current earthquake with previous disasters, we can reflect on the fact that safety criteria and building standards should become a priority for all architects and contractors. The lost lives and destroyed buildings are a peaceful call for change. It is quite possible that in the future, seismic activity will not turn into such a great disaster for humanity if the lessons of the past are learned.

Call for change

On this path, we need to understand that tragedies can be avoided not only through technology but also through unity, understanding, and human solidarity. In this way, we can not only mourn our losses but also strive to improve the situation to create a building that is more resilient and safe for future generations.