Turkey's Earthquake of Magnitude 7.8 and What causes Earthquakes

By Michael Jumba

A massive rescue operation is on going across southern Turkey and northern Syria following a huge earthquake that has killed more than 2,600 people.The 7.8 magnitude quake struck near Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday while people were asleep. A new 7.5 magnitude tremor hit at around 13:30 local time.

So What Causes Earthquakes?

Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates, the large plates that make up the Earth's surface. The movement of these plates can cause the buildup of stress along the plate boundaries, which can then be released suddenly in the form of seismic waves, causing an earthquake. 

Earthquakes can also be caused by the movement of magma and volcanic activity. Human activities such as underground mining, underground waste disposal, and the creation of large dams can also increase the likelihood of earthquakes in some areas. 

How are Earthquakes Detected?

Earthquakes are detected using seismographs or seismometers. These instruments measure the ground movement caused by seismic waves and record it as a seismogram. Seismographs can detect both the intensity (magnitude) and location (depth and epicenter) of an earthquake, which allows scientists to determine its cause and potential impact.

Seismic networks, which consist of many seismographs located across a region, can provide more accurate information about an earthquake by triangulating the data from multiple seismographs. This information can then be used to create maps and models of the earthquake's effects, which can help inform response and recovery efforts.

In recent years, advances in technology have led to the development of new types of seismic instruments, including GPS-based seismographs and accelerometers, which provide even more accurate and detailed information about earthquakes.

Can Human Life Be Saved From Earthquakes by Early Warning Systems

Early warning systems for earthquakes can help reduce the impact of earthquakes on human life by providing advance notice of the shaking that will be caused by the earthquake. This allows people to take protective action such as finding safe shelter, stopping elevators, and shutting off gas lines. In some cases, early warning systems can provide enough lead time to evacuate buildings and other structures before the shaking begins.

However, the effectiveness of early warning systems in saving human life depends on many factors, including the speed and accuracy of the warning, the preparedness of individuals and communities to respond to the warning, and the design and construction of buildings and other structures. In some cases, early warning systems can only provide seconds or a few minutes of lead time, which may not be enough for people to take protective action.

Therefore, while early warning systems can be an important tool in reducing the impact of earthquakes on human life, they are only one aspect of a comprehensive approach to earthquake preparedness and risk reduction. It is important to also focus on other measures such as retrofitting buildings to make them more earthquake-resistant, promoting public awareness and education about earthquake preparedness, and developing and practicing emergency response plans.