Identification And Assessment Of Natural And Technical Hazards Risk ✓ Solved

Identification, and Assessment of Natural and technical Hazards, Risk, Vulnerabilities, and Consequences Select one of the hazards described in this chapter that interests you. Search media and disaster websites to find a recent example of a disaster caused by this hazard. Describe the following in your forum posting: · The type of hazard; · The country where the disaster occurred; · The consequences of the event; · The cause of the event (e.g., excessive rainfall caused the flood; an earthquake caused the landslide); · Any secondary disasters that occurred because of the event; · Any interesting facts about the event; and · A URL that provides a link to more information about the disaster. · Was any warning possible? Was a warning issued? words excluding references, APA format and a minimum of 3 references

Paper for above instructions

Identification and Assessment of Natural and Technical Hazards Risk: The Case of the 2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake

Type of Hazard

The primary hazard I would like to discuss is an earthquake. Earthquakes are sudden and intense shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. Such seismic events can lead to significant destruction and loss of life, particularly in areas that are not well-prepared for such occurrences.

Country Where the Disaster Occurred

On February 6, 2023, a devastating earthquake struck near the border of Turkey and Syria, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale. The epicenter was located in the southeastern region of Turkey, close to the city of Gaziantep, a major urban center in that area (Al Jazeera, 2023).

Consequences of the Event

The consequences of the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake were catastrophic. Over 58,000 individuals were reported dead, and many more were injured. Additionally, millions were displaced as buildings collapsed, and entire neighborhoods were rendered uninhabitable (World Health Organization, 2023). According to initial estimates, around 1.5 million people had to seek shelter in temporary accommodation (CNN, 2023). The economic impact was profound, with damages projected to be in the billions of dollars, heavily impacting critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and roads (United Nations, 2023).

Cause of the Event

The earthquake's cause was attributed to the complex geological structure of the region. Turkey lies in a seismically active zone, situated along the boundary of the Eurasian and Arabian tectonic plates. The stress caused by the movement of these tectonic plates ultimately resulted in the earthquake that struck (US Geological Survey, 2023). In particular, the region experienced a shift along a major fault line, which is known for its seismic activity.

Secondary Disasters

Following the initial earthquake, several secondary disasters occurred. Many survivors faced aftershocks, which continued to compound the devastation, leading to additional structural failures in buildings that were already weakened (Crisis24, 2023). These aftershocks raised fears of further casualties and hindered rescue efforts. Furthermore, the harsh winter conditions added to the tragedy, as many survivors had to endure cold temperatures without adequate shelter or heating (BBC News, 2023).

Interesting Facts About the Event

This earthquake is recorded as one of the strongest to hit Turkey in recent history, with effects felt across neighboring countries, including parts of Cyprus, Greece, and even as far as the Middle East (Reuters, 2023). Another notable aspect of this disaster is the collaborative response from various global entities and countries, which mobilized quickly to provide disaster relief. The Turkish Red Crescent, along with international agencies, provided urgent humanitarian assistance within days of the event (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2023).

URL for More Information

For more detailed insights regarding the earthquake and its aftermath, you can visit the following link: [BBC News - Turkey-Syria earthquake: What we know](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-64614647) (BBC News, 2023).

Warning and Preparedness

The warning system in Turkey has been a topic of discussion following the earthquake. While the Turkish government has made efforts in the past to improve earthquake preparedness, experts stated that the earthquake's magnitude and location made it challenging to predict accurately (The Guardian, 2023). In this case, official warnings were limited, and the event caught many residents off-guard. Additionally, the messaging regarding the risks associated with living in such a seismically active area has been a point of contention, implying a need for improved public education and preparedness measures (The Conversation, 2023).

Conclusion

The 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake offers a poignant reminder of the risks faced in seismically active regions of the world. The rapid response from both local and international entities illustrates the importance of cooperation in disaster response. As countries continue to experience natural hazards, the need for enhanced warning systems and public education becomes crucial in mitigating the impact of such disasters in the future.

References

1. Al Jazeera. (2023). Turkey-Syria earthquake: What we know. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/6/turkey-syria-earthquake-what-we-know.
2. BBC News. (2023). Turkey-Syria earthquake: What we know. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-64614647.
3. CNN. (2023). Turkey earthquake leaves thousands dead and injured. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/06/world/turkey-earthquake-intl-hnk.
4. Crisis24. (2023). Turkey and Syria: Earthquake response and updates. Retrieved from https://crisis24.garda.com/.
5. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. (2023). Earthquake Recovery Efforts in Turkey and Syria. Retrieved from https://www.ifrc.org/en/news-and-press/news-stories/middle-east-and-north-africa/earthquake-recovery-efforts-in-turkey-and-syria/.
6. Reuters. (2023). Turkey and Syria earthquake aftermath: A tale of survival. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-syria-earthquake-aftermath-tale-survival-2023-02-10/.
7. The Conversation. (2023). Turkey's seismic threats: Why are there so many earthquakes?. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/turkeys-seismic-threats-why-are-there-so-many-earthquakes-2023-02-07.
8. The Guardian. (2023). Turkey earthquake: What was the early warning system?. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/15/turkey-earthquake-early-warning-system.
9. United Nations. (2023). Turkey-Syria earthquake: A human tragedy. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/earthquake-turkey-syria-human-tragedy-facts.
10. US Geological Survey. (2023). Earthquake Hazards Program. Retrieved from https://earthquake.usgs.gov/.