M7.1

2011 Turkey Earthquake

Van, Eastern Turkey — October 23, 2011

The 2011 Van earthquake killed 604 people and injured over 2,000 others in eastern Turkey. The earthquake struck a region with many buildings constructed without adherence to seismic codes. A powerful M5.6 aftershock three weeks later collapsed several rescue workers and delayed recovery operations.

Earthquake Facts

Magnitude

M7.1

Date

Oct 23, 2011

Depth

7 km

Deaths

604

Latitude

38.692°

Longitude

43.493°

Tsunami

No

Region

Turkey

Tectonic Cause

Thrust fault along the collision zone between the Arabian and Eurasian plates in eastern Turkey. The region experiences ongoing seismicity as the Arabian microcontinent continues pushing northward.

Aftermath in Pictures

Photos from Wikimedia Commons — open licenses (CC / Public Domain)

Images sourced from Wikimedia Commons under open licenses. Attribution required where specified. Click any image to enlarge.

Sources & Further Reading

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