Your ultimate guide to exploring and writing about Turkey
Turkey is prone to several types of natural disasters due to its complex geology and varied climate. The most significant threats come from earthquakes, but the country also experiences others.
Here is a breakdown of the major natural disasters in Turkey:
Turkey is one of the world's most seismically active countries.
Why: It sits on several major fault lines, most notably the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) (running east-west near Istanbul and the Black Sea) and the East Anatolian Fault (EAF) (in southeastern Turkey).
Recent Major Events:
February 2023: The Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence (7.8 and 7.5 magnitude) was the deadliest in modern Turkish history, affecting 11 provinces in the south, causing over 50,000 deaths and immense destruction.
1999 İzmit Earthquake: A 7.6 magnitude quake on the NAF near Istanbul caused ~17,000 deaths.
Constant Risk: Seismologists warn of a high probability of a major earthquake in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul in the coming decades, which would have catastrophic consequences due to the city's dense population.
Earthquakes are a primary trigger, but landslides also occur due to:
Geology: Steep slopes with loose rock and soil.
Heavy Rainfall: Especially in the Black Sea region (which receives the highest precipitation).
Deforestation and Unplanned Construction: These human activities significantly increase susceptibility.
Flash floods and river floods are common and often deadly.
Black Sea Region: Most frequent, due to intense rainfall and mountainous terrain.
Mediterranean Coast: Also susceptible to sudden, heavy storms.
Urban Flooding: In major cities like Istanbul, inadequate drainage and concrete cover can turn heavy rain into dangerous urban floods.
A major threat during the hot, dry summer months, particularly along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
Climate Change: Increasing the frequency, intensity, and length of the fire season.
Notable Events: The summer of 2021 saw devastating fires in Antalya, Muğla (around Marmaris), and other provinces, destroying large forest areas and villages.
Human Cause: Many fires are started by negligence (e.g., discarded trash, faulty power lines) or in rare cases, arson.
Occur in the eastern and northeastern mountainous regions during winter.
High Risk Areas: The provinces along the Eastern Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia mountains.
Causes: Heavy snowfall, steep slopes, and sometimes triggered by seismic activity or loud noises.
A growing and severe threat, particularly in the central Anatolian plateau.
Climate Change: Leading to decreasing precipitation, shrinking water resources (like Lake Van and Lake Tuz), and lower agricultural yields.
Impact: Has profound effects on agriculture, water supply for major cities, and ecosystems.
Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD): The main government body responsible for disaster management, from preparedness to response and recovery.
Building Codes: After the 1999 earthquake, seismic building codes were significantly strengthened, but poor enforcement and illegal construction remain critical problems, as tragically evidenced in the 2023 earthquakes.
Early Warning Systems: Being developed, particularly for earthquakes and floods.
In summary, earthquakes pose the single greatest natural disaster risk in Turkey, but the country faces a multi-hazard environment where climate-change intensified events like wildfires, floods, and drought are becoming increasingly severe. The intersection of high natural hazards with dense urban populations and vulnerabilities in construction and infrastructure defines Turkey's disaster risk landscape.