Mw7.5 and Mw7.8 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

Last week we witnessed two of the largest earthquakes worldwide that occurred in Turkey. Those were the magnitude 7.8 earthquake and the magnitude 7.5 earthquake that happened on the 6th of February 2023 in southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), both earthquakes are believed to be the largest natural disaster during the last 100 years in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

The Turkey Mw7.8 and Mw7.5 earthquakes both occurred along a highly active and powerful tectonic wave that became active shortly after the Mw7.6 earthquake in the Banda Sea on the 9th of January 2023. The observed tectonic wave was one of the most active ones since 2020.

Picture 1: Both earthquakes occurred along a highly active and powerful tectonic wave.

Earthquakes were also closely related to the increased shear stress along the East Anatolian Fault, whereas a very unstable critical region formed in the epicentral region of the Mw7.8 earthquake. Moreover, the shear traction field increased after the 3rd of February 2023.

Picture 2: Earthquakes were closely related to the increased shear stress along the East Anatolian Fault.

Earthquakes caused multibillion-dollar damage and an enormous economic loss and left us with more than 41,000 casualties as well as with twenty-six million people in need of humanitarian aid.