Izmet, Turkey Izmet, Turkey EarthquakeEarthquake

By Molly SumpterBy Molly Sumpter

OutlineOutline►tectonic setting of tectonic setting of

Turkey, North Turkey, North Anatolian FaultAnatolian Fault

►August 17, 1999 August 17, 1999 eventevent

►outcomes, what outcomes, what was learned from was learned from this quakethis quake

Tectonic SettingTectonic Setting► Convergence between the African and Eurasian platesConvergence between the African and Eurasian plates

results in the westward motion of the Turkey plate on results in the westward motion of the Turkey plate on which most of the land area of Turkey lies.which most of the land area of Turkey lies.

► The plate is bounded to the north by the 1200-km-long The plate is bounded to the north by the 1200-km-long North Anatolian Fault, and to the south by the Southern North Anatolian Fault, and to the south by the Southern Anatolian fault which slip respectively in a right-lateral Anatolian fault which slip respectively in a right-lateral and left-lateral sense.and left-lateral sense.

► The Black Sea margin of Turkey lies on the EuroAsian The Black Sea margin of Turkey lies on the EuroAsian Plate Plate strike-slip earthquakes with little or no vertical slip. strike-slip earthquakes with little or no vertical slip.

► The western margin of Turkey is a region of The western margin of Turkey is a region of convergence with the Aegean Sea floorconvergence with the Aegean Sea floor thrust-type earthquakes with a substantial vertical thrust-type earthquakes with a substantial vertical

slip component. slip component.

North Anatolian FaultNorth Anatolian Fault

•Scientists fear segments could act as dominos if enough stress is transferred through segments•The North Anatolian fault is very similar to San Andreas fault in California

•similar slip rates•total length•and straightness relative to their poles of rotation

August 17, 1999August 17, 1999

►3:00 am3:00 am►Lasted 45 secondsLasted 45 seconds►7.4 magnitude7.4 magnitude►Epicenter was 7 miles Epicenter was 7 miles

east of Izmiteast of Izmit►10.5 miles below ground10.5 miles below ground►Felt in AfricaFelt in Africa►Death toll between 30-Death toll between 30-

40,00040,000

WHAT WHAT WENT WENT

WRONGWRONG??

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned► Loss of life and building collapse was avoidableLoss of life and building collapse was avoidable..

new buildings performed very poorly because they new buildings performed very poorly because they were not properly designed, not properly were not properly designed, not properly constructed, or located on ground that failed from constructed, or located on ground that failed from shaking or faulting.shaking or faulting.

► Severe industrial losses also were avoidableSevere industrial losses also were avoidable.. The major damage at these facilities could have The major damage at these facilities could have

been avoided with better earthquake resistant been avoided with better earthquake resistant structural design, systems design, and planningstructural design, systems design, and planning..

► Limited earthquake insurance availabilityLimited earthquake insurance availability.. According to the World Bank, only 15% of the According to the World Bank, only 15% of the

residences in the Istanbul urban area are insured residences in the Istanbul urban area are insured for earthquakefor earthquake

► Ground faulting and rupture losses from poor Ground faulting and rupture losses from poor land use planningland use planning.. Many structures build on or near a well-known faultMany structures build on or near a well-known fault

SourcesSources

►http://cires.colorado.edu/~bilham/Izmithttp://cires.colorado.edu/~bilham/Izmit_EEFIT_REPORT.htm_EEFIT_REPORT.htm

►http://www.absconsulting.com/resourchttp://www.absconsulting.com/resources/Catastrophe_Reports/Izmit-Turkey-1es/Catastrophe_Reports/Izmit-Turkey-1999.pdf999.pdf