BENCANA ALAM DI TURKI

Jakarta - The earthquake that hit Turkey last Monday (6/2) and was followed by hundreds of

aftershocks according to scientists is a unique and rare event because of its enormous

magnitude. This event will be examined more deeply by seismologists.

"The events that are happening in Turkey at this time are unprecedented. This earthquake is

unique in that it has a magnitude of 7.8. Such a seismic event is rare worldwide, and it is one

of the strongest earthquakes. I am monitoring the events online, and more more than 300

aftershocks have been recorded in more than 36 hours in the same area, the Anatolian Fault

zone," said Yuri Volfman, Director of the Institute of Seismology and Geodynamics of the

Crimean Federal University, quoted from TASS, Monday (13/2/2023)

"The situation was exacerbated by shallow earthquakes, the epicenter of which was at a depth

of only 10 kilometers in a densely populated zone. Such a long period of active seismic

processes is a unique event that requires lengthy study," he continued.

According to him, the Anatolian Fault system separates the Eurasian Plate from the Arabian

Plate. Currently, the Arabian Plate is pressing against the Eurasian Plate and a tectonic shift is

taking place.

Talking about possible future developments in the region, Volfman said it would be difficult

to predict.
"A long period of aftershocks is a unique occurrence, so I don't know when it will end.

However, such an event may occur again, perhaps with a different scope and in a different

area, but we have to be prepared for it," he said.

To note, earthquakes with magnitudes 7.7 and 7.6 hit the Kahramanmaras Province in

southeastern Turkey on Monday (6/2). The shaking that was followed by hundreds of

aftershocks was felt in ten provinces, as well as in neighboring countries, including Syria.

The latest casualty reports say 34,000 people were killed and tens of thousands injured.