Historically, earthquakes have accounted for 50% of natural-disaster related deaths. In 2023, they have accounted for over 90%. Two earthquakes created the greatest shocks.
Earthquakes are not a rare phenomenon — small earthquakes can occur several hundred times a day, major earthquakes (7.0 magnitude or higher) usually occur 15 times a year, and great earthquakes (8.0 magnitude or higher) once per year. Even with this frequency, they are not the most common natural disaster to occur on our planet — floods are.
And yet, between 1900 and 2020 earthquakes accounted for 50% of natural disaster-related deaths. In 2023, they have so far accounted for 90% of disaster-related deaths— and that’s just from two earthquakes alone.
February 2023: Double earthquakes devastate Turkey-Syria
On February 6, two earthquakes impacted the south of Turkey and northern border of Syria — the first had a 7.8 magnitude; the second, following nine hours later, had a 7.5 magnitude. This was the most devastating earthquake to hit Turkey in almost 20 years — and its deadliest ever. Over 50,000 people lost their lives, 7,300 of which were refugees, and over 100,000 were injured. An estimated 9 million people were impacted, many of which are still struggling to rebuild their lives after the disaster destroyed essential infrastructure (nearly 285,000 buildings destroyed) including an area already suffering from sustained conflict. Additionally, 3 million were displaced, 2.3 million left homeless, and as a result 2.5 million children in Turkey and 3.7 million children in Syria need humanitarian assistance. Ongoing relief efforts continue.
September 2023: An earthquakes rattles Morocco
The earthquake struck at 11:11 pm local time on September 8. The quake had a 6.8 magnitude, and the epicenter was in the High Atlas Mountain range, approximately 70 km / 43 mi, south of Marrakesh. The impact could be felt as far north as Casablanca and far south as Tiznit. Over 3,000 people have been confirmed dead, and more than 5,500 injured. The last time a natural disaster shook Morocco with this level of destruction was in 1960, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit the Agadir region, killing between 12,000-15,000 people. The full impact of the recent earthquake is unclear — relief efforts are ongoing.
Is there a correlation between earthquakes and climate change?
Yes, there is evidence to suggest a correlation exists between earthquakes and climate change. Geologists have long noted a relationship between rainfall rates and seismic activity— noting increased water weight puts more pressure on the Earth’s crust and can alter phenomena happening below the surface; namely, by loosened faults. While a warming Earth has resulted in prolonged drought, it has also resulted in an increase in rainfallsince 1900. If our planet continues to warm at the rate it is warming, we may soon expect to live in a wetter one — and thus, one with more potential for more earthquakes.
How can HUMANITY pick up the pieces — and prepare for the future?
Combating climate change will help ensure devastation from natural disasters is reduced. But there are other factors at stake too, including infrastructure development, overall preparedness, relief and response. While it is currently impossible to predict when an earthquake, and some other natural disasters, will hit, we can equip organizations with the funding they need to respond to these disasters, relieving humanity of such devastation in the future.
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Be the good kind of change for HUMANITY. Support DISASTER RELIEF efforts. Donate with #VAKOVAKO.
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This Week in Humanity News: Over 100,000 ethnic Armenians have fled the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and the lives of thousands more are at stake, after an Azerbaijan-led offensive escalated conflict. Many fear persecution. Learn more here.
