October 24, 2011

expert reaction to earthquake in Turkey

A 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Eastern Turkey killed at least seven people and trapped many more under collapsed buildings.

Dr Neil Thomas, an expert in natural hazards and disaster management from the School of Earth Sciences and Geography at Kingston University, in a Q&A, said:

“What needs to be done now to safeguard people and buildings? What are the main challenges ahead?

“Today there will be specialist search and rescue workers on the ground in the affected area to carry on the search and rescue work. Their main priority will be to continue searching for survivors as long as there is hope of successful rescue. Other work will be to inspect and ensure that lightly damaged buildings are safe for reoccupation and to make more seriously damaged buildings safe from further, or total, collapse. Naturally, there will be a massive clear-up operation which will last for several weeks.

“There are always dangers and challenges for rescue workers in earthquake affected areas. There is the threat posed by more aftershocks which can destabilise already damaged buildings and critical infrastructure and put rescue workers at risk. There are challenges associated with the clear-up operation and, of course, the issues of raising the population’s morale and the more long-term problems of dealing with bereavement and loss of livelihood. A disaster like this can severely test resilience. Our thoughts are with them all and, as an international community, we should be prepared to help in any way we can.

Will there be aftershocks and how likely is it that Turkey will experience another quake of this magnitude?

“There have already been many aftershocks that will have hampered the initial search and rescue operations. These aftershocks are likely to decrease in magnitude and frequency but we can’t be certain that this will happen. We can’t forecast when the next event of this magnitude will occur in the area.

How long could it take to make safe and rebuild Ercis and other affected areas?

“Over the next week or so, as more details emerge, the search and rescue teams will become more aware of the extent of devastation but it’s possible that the clear-up operation could take many months.

Why did there appear to be no warning?

“Unfortunately, most major earthquakes do not give prior warning which is why rapid onset events like this often take people by surprise.”