An earthquake with a
moment magnitude of 7.0[4][note 1] occurred on 30 October 2020 about 14 km (8.7 mi) northeast of the
Greek island of
Samos. Although Samos was closest to the epicentre, it was the Turkish city
İzmir, 70 km (43 mi) northeast that was heavily affected—more than 700 residential and commercial structures were seriously damaged or destroyed. One hundred and seventeen people died in
İzmir Province while an additional 1,034 were injured.[9][10] In Greece, there were two fatalities and 19 injured.[11] The earthquake is the
deadliest in the year 2020, and the third major earthquake to strike Turkey that year. The event is called the Samos earthquake by the
International Seismological Centre.[4]
At its southern edge, the African Plate
converges north towards the Aegean Sea Plate at a rate of 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in)/yr. It
subducts beneath the Aegean, occasionally producing great
megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis including the
365 Crete earthquake. The subduction rate along the
Hellenic subduction zone at 35 mm (1.4 in)/yr, however, greatly exceeds the velocity of the African Plate. North-south extension within the Aegean Sea Plate in the
back-arc region compensate the subduction rate.
Shallow crustal earthquakes within the Aegean Sea Plate is a result of this
extension, accommodated by east-west trending normal faults.[13]
Historical seismicity
The first record of an earthquake in the Samos and İzmir region date back to 200 BC, describing an earthquake of magnitude 6.0–6.5, and intensity VII–VIII. Another earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.0 struck the region in 47 AD.[14] On the island of Samos, these earthquakes have minimal effects. However, nearby Izmir have suffered serious catastrophe as a result of these earthquakes. The most destructive event in the region was the
1688 Smyrna earthquake, which had an epicentre near İzmir.[15] With an estimated magnitude 7.0, the earthquake killed 15,000–20,000 people in the city.[16] Other major events took place in 1739 and 1788, causing major damage in the city.[17] On 11 August 1904, Samos was rocked by a
magnitude 6.8 earthquake, causing substantial damage in Greece and Turkey, and killing four people.[18] That earthquake according to researchers, was caused by an onshore fault (Pythagorion Fault) on the island.[19]
Earthquake
The earthquake was the result of normal
faulting at a
shallow crustal depth within the Aegean Sea Plate in the eastern Aegean Sea, about 250 km (160 mi) north of the closest plate boundary, the
Hellenic Trench, where the African Plate moves north at a rate of approximately 10 mm (0.39 in)/yr with respect to the Eurasian Plate. Due to its geological setting away from a plate boundary, it is considered an
intraplate earthquake. A
focal mechanism analysis indicated that the earthquake occurred on a moderately dipping
normal fault striking either eastward or westward. This mechanism indicates north-south oriented extension that is common in the Aegean Sea. The
United States Geological Survey stated that normal faulting events of this size typically have a fault area of 50 km (31 mi) x 20 km (12 mi).[20]
The North Samos Fault, also known as the Kaystrios Fault, is an
east–west striking, north–northeast dippingnormal fault located offshore, north of the coast of Samos.[14] The fault was previously determined to have the potential to produce an earthquake of magnitude 6.8.[21][22] It likely
ruptured entirely during the earthquake for a length of approximately 60 km (37 mi).[23][18] The epicentral location suggests it was on the western extension of the geologically active
Büyük Menderes Graben.[24] The earthquake released a
seismic moment of 3.3 × 1019N-m, corresponding to a moment magnitude of 7.0. A maximum slip of 4.6 m (15 ft) at a depth of 7 km (4.3 mi) was inferred.[25][24] The earthquake produced up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) of slip on the seafloor, causing a moderate tsunami, and
tectonic uplift and
subsidence on land.[26]
Strong ground motion
Modified Mercalli intensities in selected locations[14]
The earthquake achieved a
peak ground acceleration (pga) of 0.27 g in Samos. Weaker ground acceleration was recorded at 0.1 g in İzmir, however, in the
Bayraklı and
Karşıyaka metropolitan districts, these ground motions were amplified with longer periods of 1.5 seconds.[17][14] Ground motions were severely amplified in these districts due to the soil condition consisting of loose sediments.[27] In the Turkish town of
Kuşadası, the pga was 0.18 g. At 22.27 km (13.84 mi) away from the epicentre, on Turkish soil, the highest pga was recorded 0.98 g.[28] The maximum intensity was recorded on Samos Island, VIII (Severe), a revision from X (Extreme).[29][30] Shaking was also felt on the Greek island of Crete, and in some regions of
Athens.[31]
Foreshocks and aftershocks
The earthquake was preceded by a
foreshock sequence consisting of 39 events over a period of three months.[32]
As of 8 November, over 2,800
aftershocks have been recorded.[33] The mainshock may have been preceded by a
foreshock on 5 May the same year.[34]
Aftershocks of the 2020 Aegean Sea earthquake greater than Mw 4.0
Tsunami information was issued by the
Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Monitoring and Tsunami Warning Center to the Earthquake Research Department of Turkey approximately 11 minutes after the earthquake, but was not broadcast to the coastal regions. The tsunami arrived between 10 and 15 minutes after the mainshock.[22]
Multiple social media posts showed water rushing through streets and ports in the region following the earthquake, along with tsunami warnings being issued for the islands of
Ikaria,
Kos,
Chios and
Samos.[62] Flooding from the coasts reached heights of 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in), however at
Akarca, the tsunami reached heights of 6 m (20 ft).[63] In
Azmak, the tsunami penetrated 1.3 km (0.81 mi) inland, 0.82 km (0.51 mi) in Akarca, and 0.32 km (0.20 mi) in
Sigacik. Recorded heights of the tsunami from this event were larger than those of other similar magnitude earthquakes in the same region with the exception of the
1956 Amorgos earthquake.[63]
Damage to buildings caused by the tsunami in Greece and Turkey was moderate and non-structural. The tsunami produced unusually long basin oscillations, persisting for over a day after the earthquake. The earthquake itself generated an unusually large tsunami for its magnitude and normal
focal mechanism.[64]
Turkish coast
In
Akarca, north of Samos, the tsunami run-up heights were up to 3.8 m (12 ft), reaching as far as 290 m (950 ft) inland. The maximum wave height in this area was 6 m (20 ft).[63] A 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in) surge flooded and damaged a diving center near the coast. Garden walls and fences of homes at the shore were also damaged. Cars and boats were among the large objects picked up by the surge and moved inland. The only known tsunami fatality was reported in this town.[65][66]
In
Alaçatı on the
Çeşme Peninsula, the tsunami flowed up a stream and inundated inland by as much as 2.49 km (1.55 mi). It carried a fishing vessel 1.16 km (0.72 mi) inland along the stream during the inundation. Analysis of video footage on the coast showed that the tsunami had a maximum height of 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) when it struck.[32]
East of Alaçatı is Zeytineli, where the tsunami severely damaged unoccupied resort houses along a stretch of beach. Debris from damaged structures were strewn along the beach. Concrete blocks were also displaced by as much as 25 m (82 ft). A maximum inundation of 760 m (2,490 ft) was measured, as well as a flow height of 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) at a palm tree, 50 m (160 ft) from the shore.[32]
At
Sığacık, a wave struck the coast with a run-up height of 5.0–5.6 m (16.4–18.4 ft). The tsunami waves where higher in this region due to the geometry of the coast; the presence of a shallow
bay.[67]
Greek coast
On the island of Samos, the tsunami caused major flooding on its northern coast, and was recorded by multiple people on video camera. No deaths were reported by the tsunami.[68] Many offices and businesses were immediately flooded when the surge broke through windows and doors. Waves of 1.5–2.0 m (4 ft 11 in – 6 ft 7 in) traveled as far as 101 meters inland. Damage to boats and cars were widely reported in the aftermath.[69] A number of small boats and cars were carried inland or lost at sea by the tsunami. Some boats were smashed along
breakwater structures as well. Shops, hotel lobbies, restaurants, offices and homes suffered slight damage when the tsunami inundated the ground level and indoors. A maximum run-up height of 3.35 m (11.0 ft) was measured on the northern coast of Samos about 5.8 km (3.6 mi) east of Karlovasi Port.[64] The tsunami caused some material damage to a home that was located at the coast.[69]
Geological effects
The earthquake produced significant coseismic uplift on the island of Samos.
Surface ruptures were also observed on the island. The beaches, ports, and coasts of Samos were partially raised in the aftermath. At
Karlovasi, up to 24 cm (9.4 in) of permanent uplift was measured at a
breakwater off the coast. Approximately 1.5 km (0.93 mi) west of Karlovasi is the Akra coast consisting of
marble, which was raised 20 cm. Between 15 cm (5.9 in) and 20 cm (7.9 in) of uplift was measured at Ayios Nikolaos, located 12 km (7.5 mi) southwest of the epicentre. An
aftershock measuring Mw 4.5 on 20 January 2021 generated 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in) of additional uplift in the same area. Similar measurements were taken at a
marina in
Marathokampos. The
Pythagoreio Fault in Pythagoreio, 29 km (18 mi) southeast of the earthquake, generated 29 cm (11 in) of surface deformation during the quake. An estimated uplift of 25 cm (9.8 in) is thought to have occurred at Potokaki as reported by tourists.[70] According to the Earth Applied Sciences Disasters Program of
NASA,
synthetic-aperture radar data revealed Samos Island was raised by as much as 10 cm (3.9 in) meanwhile its northern coast subsided by the same amount. The ground uplift and subsidence pattern suggested a coseismic
rupture along a fault located north of the island,
dipping at an angle towards the north.[71]
Small
normal-mechanism surface ruptures were documented near the villages of
Kontakaiika, Ayios Nikolaos, and Ayios Elias. Vertical displacements of up to 8 cm (3.1 in) were observed on the ground, and across roads. The coseismic
surface ruptures resulted in some damage to roads and brick walls. Although these uplifts were on the order of several centimeters, it added up to a length of 1 km (0.62 mi).[70]
Small
landslides,
rockfalls and
slope failures were reported along
fault scarps on
Samos. Some instances of rockfalls caused minor traffic disruption when they partially blocked roads. A small rockfall caused slight damage to an adjacent building in
Kokkari.[70] Ground cracks appeared on a road at Malagari. The cracked caused part of the road, and small trees to slide several centimeters closer to the shore as a result of lateral spreading. Minor
liquefaction occurred at the beach near the town as well.[70]
Overall, minor damage occurred on Samos despite its close proximity to the epicentre. Most of the damage and casualties were from the
Bornova and
Bayraklı districts of İzmir; located at least 70 km (43 mi) north of the epicentre.[73] On 4 November, the mayor of İzmir,
Tunç Soyer, stated that 15,000 people in the city were made
homeless.[74] Total damage is estimated to be in the millions for Greece, and over $400 million for Turkey.[75] Serious structural damage and
pancake-style building collapses caused many deaths in Izmir.
Greece
Greek authorities from
Samos stated that although buildings were damaged across the island, the worst sustained was in
Karlovasi,[76] where a large church had partially collapsed. In Karlovasi, over 100 buildings were damaged upon inspection.[77] It was the first time since
2017 that there are earthquake-related fatalities in Greece.[78]
On-site inspections of buildings on the island began hours after the quake, and ended on 15 November. Of the 4,245 buildings inspected, 57 percent were declared unsafe for inhabitation. At least 87 percent of damaged buildings were of
masonry construction while 6 percent were of reinforced concrete types. Damage mostly consisted of partial collapse or shear cracks. Churches and other religious buildings suffered significant but repairable damaged in the quake. Archeological sites and items of historical value were damaged, some of which beyond repair. At the Archaeological Museum of Pythagorion, vessels and
sculptures were destroyed. The parameter wall of the Castle of Lycurgus Logothetis suffered partial collapses. A crack appeared in the marble structure of the Archaeological Museum of Vathy.[14]
Turkey
Initially,
Turkish Minister of the InteriorSüleyman Soylu stated that at least six buildings were destroyed in İzmir, but the city's mayor
Tunç Soyer later put the number of collapsed buildings closer to 20.[62] On-site investigations by the
Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization revised the number of collapsed and intentionally demolished buildings to 103. At least 700 other buildings suffered serious damage, and in 814, damage was moderate. Slight structural damage was reported in across 7,889 buildings, while the other 159,000 were unaffected.[79]
Collapse apartments accounted for nearly all 117 deaths in Turkey. Among the deadliest collapse involved the Rıza Bey Apartment, where 38 people including 11 children died.[80]
Most of the buildings that collapsed were built in the 1990s, based on outdated
earthquake regulations from 1975. Poor construction practices and the absence of code compliance were reasons for the collapse.[81] The buildings that totally failed were typically between 5–10 storeys tall, and at least 30 years old.[82] Additionally, the first floors of these buildings were altered for commercial use such as shops. Taller buildings with heights of 100–240 m (330–790 ft), however, did not sustain structural damages. The city is also built on soft sediments in a basin which amplified the intensity of shaking despite its distance from the epicentre.[83]
It is believed that the effects of
basin amplification worsened the intensity of ground motions, causing structural failures. The observation of damage effects and instrumental data found that ground motions were amplified 2.5–3 times in the İzmir basin.[82]
Casualties
One hundred and seventeen (117) people were killed and 1,034 were injured in Turkey, all but one in the city of Izmir.[9] The other Turkish victim outside Izmir died from drowning in the advancing tsunami in the district of
Seferihisar. It was the first recorded tsunami fatality in Turkey.[3] Additionally, two teenagers died in Greece after being crushed by a wall on the island of Samos; 19 others were injured in Greece.[6]
Relief operations
Immediately after the earthquake,
Turkish Minister of HealthFahrettin Koca stated that about 40 ambulances, 35 emergency rescue teams and two ambulance helicopters had reached the affected region,[84] while
Turkey's Ministry of National Defence stated that
one of its planes had departed from
Etimesgut Air Base to transport
AFAD and
gendarmerie teams to the scene.[85] The
Turkish Red Crescent immediately deployed teams from six cities to provide food to those affected by the earthquake.[86] More than 1,200 workers were involved in rescue efforts involving at least 13 buildings in İzmir,[62] which continued into the night. According to Al Jazeera, the personnel involved in the rescue operations had reached about 8,000, including 25
search and rescue dogs.[87][88] Turkish authorities stated that 106 people were rescued, while the local government had set up tents to house about 2,000 people overnight. On 3 November, a three-year-old girl was rescued from an eight-story building—a toddler was rescued after being trapped in another building for 65 hours a day before.[89][90] A total of 17 collapsed buildings were part of the search and rescue operations, according to Mehmet Gulluoglu, head of Turkey's
Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).[91]
Following the deadly
1999 İzmit earthquake which claimed 17,000 lives, Turkey has stepped-up its measures on building codes in respond to earthquakes. Codes have enabled increase the safety of newer buildings during seismic events[92] An
earthquake tax was established that same year to make infrastructures more resistant to earthquakes.[93]
Among the
residential apartments which suffered structural damage was the Yılmaz Erbek Apartment located in the
Bayraklı metropolitan district. The 10-storey apartment partially collapsed, destroying the first few floors, killing 11 residents and injuring another 11. An investigation by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office found that poor construction materials and practices, and the lack of inspections led to its collapse. During renovation works in the 2000s, the
ground floor was renovated for a
supermarket. Seven of the nine workspaces in the first floor were combined, which meant columns were deliberately cut to make space for the supermarket. An exterior wall of the structure was also torn down for a window.[94] A total of five
indictments were filed against 29 individuals; 10 of whom have been imprisoned. Several public officials were also accused of neglect of duty in the role of the collapse.[95]
Another four individuals were involved in a
lawsuit for their roles in the collapse of the Doğanlar Apartment that killed 15 and injured 12. Two of the accused were detained by authorities for "causing the death and injury of more than one person by conscious negligence", and could face
jail time of up to 20 years.[96] Officials also arrested individuals involved in the construction of the Rıza Bey Apartment.[97]
The US embassy has shared their condolences for the dead and wounded in the earthquake.[98]
The
NASA analysed satellite imagery and worked with the
Turkish Space Agency and several universities in the affected region.[99]
Germany – The German embassy in Ankara has shared the following message from Twitter "After the earthquake in Izmir, our thoughts are with the victims and their relatives. Get well soon, Izmir!".
Albania – The Albanian ambassador Kastriot Robo said "Where are with our friends in this hard time".[100]
Australia – The Australian ambassador to Turkey Marc Innes-Brown shared his condolences and said the following "After the earthquake in Izmir, our thoughts are with the victims and their relatives. Get well soon, Izmir!".
The Azerbaijani President
İlham Aliyev called the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He said that he was sorry and they were prepared to offer aid.[100]
The President of the National Parliament of Azerbaijan Sahibe Gafarova shared his condolences with his counterpart Mustafa Sentop.[100]
United Kingdom – The ambassador of UK Dominick Chilcott shared his condolences and said the following "The United Kingdom as always, will be in the side with Turkey".[100]
Denmark – The Danish ambassador Danny Annan, shared his condolences and said the following "I wish my condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery for their benefits.".
France – French Minister of İnternal Affairs
Gérald Darmanin, has said that France was ready to offer support to Greece and Turkey.[102]
Israel – Israeli Minister of Defense
Benny Gantz said that they were ready to assist Turkey by sending a search and rescue team and a field hospital.[100]
Embassy of Qatar said the following "Due to the Earthquake that happened in Izmir we share our condolences with the Turkish Government and to our Turkish brothers".
A Disaster Information Management Centre was set up in Izmir by the Qatar Red Crescent Society.[103]
The President of the Kazak Parliament Nurlan Nigmatulin, "Stating that we stand by the brotherly Turkish people and share their grief in this tragic moment, I express my urgent healing wishes to the wounded. I wish you patience and fortitude of the people of Turkey."[104]
Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mukhtar Tleuberdi, sent the following message to his counterpart
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, "I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families who lost their relatives by sharing irreplaceable grief. May Allah treat the deceased with His mercy. I wish urgent healing to the injured. We always pray for the well-being of the brotherly Turkish people.".
Kosovo – Kosovo President
Hashim Thaçi, shared his condolences and said the following from social media, "Our prayers are with the relatives of those who lost their lives and the injured, Kosovo stands by the Turkish people and state in this difficult time.".[100]
Northern Cyprus – The President of TRNC
Ersin Tatar has called the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and shared his condolences.
Hungary – The Hungarian ambassador Viktor Matis shared his condolences.[105]
Pakistan – The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the following, "We are always with our Turkish brothers and our prayers are with you".[106]
Russian President
Vladimir Putin shared his condolences with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.[107]
The Russian embassy said the following "Izmir Seferihisar earthquake in Turkey thus extend our best wishes and we hope there will be no loss of life.".
Uzbekistan – The Uzbekistani President Şevket Mirziyoyev shared his condolences.[100]
Greece – The Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs
Nikos Dendias has called his counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and shared his condolences.[109][100]
Japan – The Japanese Prime Minister
Suga Yoshihide shared his condolences and said the following, "We are deeply saddened by the news that many people have died and there is serious damage, Like Turkey, Japan has experienced serious damage from earthquakes many times, and Japan and Turkey have supported each other during past earthquakes. Japan will always be with the people of Turkey in overcoming these hardships.".[110]
Singapore – The Minister for Foreign Affairs
Vivian Balakrishnan offered his condolences to both countries, adding that the country is ready to offer assistance.[111]
EU Council President
Charles Michel: "Developments related Strong earthquake off the coast of the Aegean Sea in Greece and Turkey are closely monitored.".[112]
The EU Turkey Delegation President and Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut heard deep sorrow for the earthquake victims "The EU expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the earthquake victims, would wish healing for a moment before the injured.".[112]
NATO – NATO General Secretary
Jens Stoltenberg said they were ready to offer assistance.
Turkic Council – Turkic Council General Secretary Bağdad Andreyev shared his condolences.[113]
Memorial
On the first year anniversary of the event in 2021, the
Çiğli municipality opened a public earthquake memorial to commemorate the event.[114] A memorial service was held at the Hacılarkır Cemetery in the
Karşıyaka where most of the victims were laid to rest. Monuments were also erected near the Rıza Bey Apartment which collapsed.[115]
Gallery
Izmir City
Crowds outside of their buildings.
Removal of debris from the Yılmaz Erbek Apartman in November. Eleven people died.[116]
A victim transported to an ambulance.
Rescue and recovery operation during the day.
Emergency workers walk past a partially collapsed apartment.
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