The Science Behind the Massive Turkey-Syria Earthquakes | WSJ

Summary

On February 6th, a series of catastrophic earthquakes hit the Turkish-Syrian border, with the most powerful being a 7.8 magnitude quake. The region, where three tectonic plates converge, experienced a devastating strike-slip earthquake due to the unique pressure from the Anatolia, Eurasia, and Arabia plates. The quakes resulted in a humanitarian and economic crisis, with thousands dead and more missing. The area is tectonically active, with a history of large earthquakes, and while the potential for further disruption remains uncertain, the convergence ensures future seismic activity.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Powerful earthquakes struck the Turkish-Syrian border on February 6th, with the first being a 7.8 magnitude quake, the largest in centuries for the region.
• 🏗️ The earthquakes caused widespread destruction, with thousands reported dead and many more missing, leading to a humanitarian and economic crisis.
• 🔍 The region's seismic activity is due to the convergence of three tectonic plates, causing a unique and potentially devastating type of earthquake.
• 📍 The first quake's epicenter was near Gazientep, Turkey, where the town is particularly vulnerable due to its proximity to the meeting of two tectonic plates.
• 🌌 Tectonic plates are massive rock slabs that are constantly moving, with most earthquakes occurring at their boundaries.
• 🔄 The Anatolia plate, a microplate, is under constant pressure from the Arabia plate pushing against the Eurasia plate.
• 🔄 The Anatolian plate is caught in a geological vise, with friction from the Africa plate adding to the stress.
• 📉 The earthquakes were strike-slip earthquakes, occurring when friction builds up between plates and they suddenly slip.
• ⏳ USGS estimates that the strain released in the 7.8 magnitude quake represents 3 to 500 years' worth of accumulated stress.
• 💥 The energy released in the quakes is comparable to the 1980 Mount St. Helen's volcanic eruption, indicating the scale of the seismic events.
• 🔍 The region's complex tectonics, involving four different plates, have led to a history of devastating earthquakes, including a 7.4 magnitude quake in 1999 that caused 17,000 deaths.
• 🤔 Experts are unsure if the recent quakes will trigger a third, as they may either increase or relieve strain on nearby faults.
• ⏳ Despite uncertainty about immediate future events, the convergence of three plates in the region guarantees more earthquakes in the future.

Q & A

What series of events occurred on February 6th at the Turkish-Syrian border?

On February 6th, a series of powerful earthquakes struck the Turkish-Syrian border. The first, most powerful earthquake was a 7.8 magnitude quake, followed by a 7.5 magnitude quake in the afternoon, both accompanied by a series of aftershocks.

Why is the region around the Turkish-Syrian border prone to large earthquakes?

The region is prone to large earthquakes due to the convergence of three tectonic plates beneath the surface, which cause a unique and potentially devastating type of earthquake.

What is the significance of the Anatolia tectonic plate in the context of the earthquakes?

The Anatolia tectonic plate, being a microplate due to its small size, is constantly under pressure as it is pressed upward against the Eurasia plate by the Arabia plate, causing it to move westward and face friction from the Africa plate.

How deep was the first earthquake's epicenter located?

The first earthquake's epicenter was located 11 miles under the town of Gazientep, Turkey, which is considered shallow for a major quake.

What type of faults are the boundaries between the Anatolia plate and the Africa and Arabia plates?

The boundaries between the Anatolia plate and the Africa and Arabia plates are strike-slip faults, where the plates slide against each other when friction builds up and is released in an earthquake.

What is the process that leads to a strike-slip earthquake?

A strike-slip earthquake occurs when the strain builds up between plates that are being pushed in different directions. Eventually, the accumulated strain ruptures, releasing energy in the form of a large earthquake.

How does the USGS estimate the duration of strain accumulation before the 7.8 magnitude quake in Gazientep?

The USGS estimates that the strain accumulation before the 7.8 magnitude quake in Gazientep is equivalent to 3 to 500 years' worth, since the last significant earthquake in the area.

What was the energy released during the 7.8 magnitude quake in Gazientep compared to?

The energy released during the 7.8 magnitude quake in Gazientep is comparable to that released during the explosive 1980 Mount St. Helen's volcanic eruption.

How many aftershocks followed the two major earthquakes?

More than 285 aftershocks followed the two major earthquakes in the Turkish-Syrian border region.

What is the historical context of large earthquakes in the region?

The region has a long history of devastating earthquakes, including a 1966 quake that killed over 2,000 people and the 600-mile North Anatolian fault that produced seven large strike-slip earthquakes from 1939 to 1999.

What is the potential economic impact of the recent earthquakes according to the USGS?

The USGS estimates that there could be billions in economic losses due to the destruction caused by the recent earthquakes.

What is uncertain regarding the potential for further earthquakes in the region?

Experts are unsure whether the recent earthquakes may put extra strain on nearby faults, potentially increasing the likelihood of further earthquakes, or relieve some of the strain, making further earthquakes less likely.

What is the long-term outlook for earthquakes in the region due to the three-plate convergence?

Due to the three-plate convergence, it's not a question of if there will be another earthquake in the region, but rather a question of when the next one will occur.