Why are Turkey's earthquake aftershocks so bad and when will they end?


Robert Tollast
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Earthquake aftershocks in Turkey and Syria continue to terrify and harm residents, while causing further damage to shattered towns.

The 6.3-magnitude quake that struck southern Turkey on Monday was technically an aftershock, despite its power.

The magnitude equalled that of an earthquake that struck Christchurch, New Zealand, in February 2011, killing 185 people and causing widespread destruction.

The Christchurch earthquake was later identified as an aftershock of a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in the area in September 2010. Although of a smaller magnitude than the “main shock” earthquake, the February disaster was more destructive.

The first 7.8-magnitude tremor in the disaster that killed more than 46,000 people in southern Turkey and Syria on February 6 was swiftly followed by aftershocks, one of 7.6 magnitude.

What is an aftershock and when will they end?

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, aftershocks are caused when rock around the epicentre of an earthquake becomes unstable, after an earthquake and the tectonic plate continues to settle until no more movement can occur, at least in the near term.

The agency says violent aftershocks after large quakes typically occur within hours of the first earthquake but generally reduce in size and frequency after 10 days.

According to the United States Geological Survey “deep earthquakes (deeper than 30km) are much less likely to be followed by aftershocks than shallow earthquakes”. The February 6 earthquake had a depth of less than 18km, meaning it was classified as shallow. The USGS says that some aftershocks can happen years after the main shock.

Why are aftershocks so dangerous?

Aftershocks are highly disruptive to rescue efforts, with the potential to cause new landslides and building collapses, especially in areas where buildings are already severely damaged and unstable.

While most of the efforts to find survivors have now ended, the threat to rescuers and survivors — over one million people in Turkey are without shelter — is high during such a powerful aftershock.

Power infrastructure can also be damaged, as evidenced by video footage of Monday’s aftershock which caused lights to go out, further hampering aid and recovery efforts.

As well as causing additional death and destruction, aftershocks add to the misery and fear of survivors. One man told The National his family in northern Syria ran into the street more than a week after the initial earthquake when they were awoken in the night by the shaking of their house.

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale 

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

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Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

The stats

Ship name: MSC Bellissima

Ship class: Meraviglia Class

Delivery date: February 27, 2019

Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT

Passenger capacity: 5,686

Crew members: 1,536

Number of cabins: 2,217

Length: 315.3 metres

Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)

While you're here
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Match info:

Manchester City 2
Sterling (8'), Walker (52')

Newcastle United 1
Yedlin (30')

THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

The biog

Age: 46

Number of Children: Four

Hobby: Reading history books

Loves: Sports

Most F1 world titles

7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)

7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)

5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)

4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)

4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)

If you go

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.

The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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While you're here
Updated: February 21, 2023, 9:27 AM`