The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and their geo-political circumstances
Introduction to the event
On February 6, 2023, twin earthquakes of 7.8 and 7.5 magnitudes struck southern Turkey and northern Syria. These earthquakes have caused widespread destruction in both countries. According to The Economist (2023a), the death toll has already reached 13,000 in Turkey and over 3,000 in Syria, which is likely to rise. Both countries' governments struggled to cope with the disaster, with thousands of people still buried under the rubble. The geo-political circumstances surrounding the earthquakes further complicate the situation, with political and economic implications extending beyond the disaster's immediate aftermath.
Geographic concept
As Christopherson et al. (2020) note, natural hazards are an inevitable and recurring part of the Earth's physical processes. They have the potential to cause harm to humans, their property, or their activities. Geological, meteorological, or biological events, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or pandemics, can significantly threaten human lives and activities. The field of physical geography focuses on studying the frequency, distribution, and impact of natural hazards to develop effective policies and strategies to mitigate their impact.
Discussion of the geographic concept
Natural hazards significantly impact human lives and activities (Christopherson et al.,...
As Christopherson et al. (2020) point out, hazards can cause physical injuries, property damage, economic losses, and disruptions to infrastructure and services. Studying natural hazards in physical geography involves examining these events' frequency, location, and magnitude and assessing their potential risks to human activities. Hazard...
…of governance systems in addressing the impact of natural hazards on human activities and infrastructure. Physical geographers play a
critical role in studying the complex interactions between physical and human systems to develop effective strategies to mitigate the impact of natural hazards on
society.
Conclusion
The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria are a blatant reminder of the shocking impact of natural hazards on human lives and activities. The event pertains to the geographic concept of natural hazards, a critical area of study in physical geography. The occurrence and impact of natural hazards, such as earthquakes, have significant political, economic, and social implications. Physical geographers are essential in analyzing natural hazards' location, frequency, and impact and developing policies and building standards to mitigate their…
