Somali National News Agency
So
Ar
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
    Local NewsShow More
    World Environment Day 2025 Commemorated in Mogadishu
    June 5, 2025
    President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Extends Historic Invitation for National Consultation
    June 5, 2025
    Mogadishu Hosts Second Day of Crucial Climate Change Conference
    June 5, 2025
    Millions Gather at Arafat for Hajj’s Crucial Day, Including Somali Pilgrims
    June 5, 2025
    Somalia Joins High-Level Regional Talks to Combat Cholera Outbreak
    June 5, 2025
  • World News
    World NewsShow More
    Machine Gun, AK-47 Rifles Recovered as 4 Al-Shabaab Terrorists are Killed in Garissa
    June 3, 2025
    Israel kills 2 Gaza aid seekers as UN warns of ‘catastrophic hunger’
    May 31, 2025
    A miraculous story of a Hujjaj from Libya
    May 27, 2025
    UNA Participates in International Conference on Islamophobia in Azerbaijan
    May 27, 2025
    At least 11 hurt in South Carolina beach town shooting
    May 26, 2025
  • Articles
    ArticlesShow More
    Wind power turbines line a mountain range in Ji’an, Jiangxi province, July 9, 2022.
    What China’s climate action means for the planet’s future?
    June 5, 2025
    A miraculous story of a Hujjaj from Libya
    May 27, 2025
    Nation First, Politics Later: PM Hamza Appeals to Youth Amid Growing Political Tensions
    May 24, 2025
    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to be present at the signing ceremony in Hong Kong on May 30.
    China Leads Historic Effort to Establish International Mediation Body
    May 24, 2025
    From Yunnan to Somalia: A Path Out of Poverty
    May 13, 2025
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Somalia Unveils the Blueprint for a Modern and Sustainable Mogadishu
    December 21, 2024
    Djibouti Launches $57.4 Million Youth Entrepreneurship Project to Combat Climate Change
    November 25, 2024
    FM meets Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia
    October 28, 2024
    President Hassan Sheikh Inaugurates New LPG Storage Center in Mogadishu
    May 12, 2024
    Collaboration of ICT transformation for digital Infrastructure
    October 24, 2023
  • Sports
    SportsShow More
    Mogadishu Stadium to Host Star-Studded Match Featuring Somali Legends and International Football Icons
    May 27, 2025
    Arsenal held at Brighton while Man City bounce-back continues
    January 5, 2025
    Galmudug wins the Inter-State Football Tournament
    January 29, 2024
    Somalia set for two int’l friendlies ahead of WC qualifier clashes against Algeria and Uganda
    October 10, 2023
    Chicago woman, 104, skydives from plane, aiming for record as the world’s oldest skydiver
    October 3, 2023
  • Tenders
    TendersShow More
    Quay Renovation Works – Supply and Installation of Fenders and Bollards
    April 11, 2025
Reading: Earthquakes explained: What you should know about Turkey, Syria disaster
Share
Font ResizerAa
Somali National News AgencySomali National News Agency
  • SOMALI
  • ARABIC
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
  • World News
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Tenders
Follow US
©2023 || All rights reserved SONNA
Somali National News Agency > Blog > Articles > Earthquakes explained: What you should know about Turkey, Syria disaster
ArticlesWorld News

Earthquakes explained: What you should know about Turkey, Syria disaster

By Abdullahi Hussein
Last updated: February 26, 2023
7 Min Read
Share

Emergency aid from across the world, including Kenya, is pouring into Turkey and Syria following a devastating earthquake of biblical proportions.

It is a race against time to save the lives of survivors of the magnitude 7.8 quake that has so far claimed more than 9,500 lives.

The disaster has drawn global attention to the natural phenomena characterised by violent shaking of the ground as a result of sudden movement of rock materials below the earth’s surface.

  • But really, what is an earthquake?

Also known as a quake, an earthquake is the shaking of the surface of the earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the earth’s lithosphere that creates seismic waves.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a website that provides details about the natural hazards that threaten lives, earthquakes range in intensity— from those that are so weak to be felt, to those that are so violent that in their aftermath, are casualties like is the case in Turkey and Syria.

  • What causes earthquakes?

On the earth’s surface, earthquakes manifest themselves by shaking and displacing or disrupting the ground, geologists say.

The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, USGS explains, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth’s crust and cause the shaking that we feel.

The seismic activity of an area is basically the frequency, type, and size of earthquakes experienced over a particular time period.

The seismicity at a particular location in the Earth is defined as the average rate of seismic energy release per unit volume.

  • How is the intensity measured?

Earthquakes are measured by their magnitude, which is set up as a logarithmic scale ranging between zero and 10.

Each whole number represents a tenfold increase in strength. The most powerful quake on record is a 9.5-magnitude one that struck Chile in May 1960.

  • What is the difference between an earthquake and a tremor?

While they are both signs of seismic movement within the earth, the difference is the intensity of the movement.

Earthquakes, geologists say, are more intense than earth tremors. When a tremor exceeds five on the moment magnitude scale, it is referred to as an earthquake.

The word tremor is also used for non-earthquake seismic rumbling, researchers say.

  • Is it possible to predict earthquakes?

While some people may argue that the use of technology such as computing power, mathematical models, drones, satellite— including the use of artificial intelligence— as has been used in enhancing weather forecasting, may help predict occurrences of earthquake, geologists says it almost impossible to perfectly predict a quake because of the complexity of analysing the entirety of the planet’s crust.

“An earthquake happens very, very quickly. It’s fair [to say] that at this point, we are not capable of predicting earthquakes at all,” Christine Goulet, director of the USGS Earthquake Science Center, told The Washington Post.

There is an element of randomness to how and when earthquakes happen. They sometimes happen without warning signs, experts say.

  • At what depth do earthquakes occur? What is the significance of the depth?

Earthquakes, according to USGS, occur in the crust or the upper mantle, which ranges from the Earth’s surface to about 800 kilometers deep.

  • Can humans cause earthquakes? Is there any way to prevent earthquakes?

Earthquakes can be induced by a wide range of causes, including impoundment of reservoirs, surface and underground mining, withdrawal of fluids and gas from the subsurface, and injection of fluids into underground formations.

And yes, earthquakes can be induced by human activity— and these have been documented in many countries. Man-made earthquakes’ effects, however small/little, are just as devastating as the natural one.

The US Geological Survey report indicates that the hazard posed by man-made earthquakes can be mitigated by minimising or in some cases stopping the activity that is causing the earthquakes to occur.

“We cannot prevent natural earthquakes from occurring but we can significantly mitigate their effects by identifying hazards, building safer structures, and providing education on earthquake safety. By preparing for natural earthquakes we can also reduce the risk from human induced earthquakes,” the USGS notes.

  • What should one do after an earthquake has happened?

According to USGS, after the main quake, there are usually aftershocks that may occur hours, days or weeks later. These aftershocks may damage buildings and the resulting debris may injure people and animals.

Due to the disastrous nature of earthquakes, they can damage gas lines. It is therefore advisable to avoid open flames in damaged buildings.

At the scene, avoid using lighters and matches. If you happen to live near the coast, stay away from it since most of the time, the earthquakes cause flooding and even more disastrous tsunamis.

And, when you have to drive, use alternative routes to get to the same destination, USGS advises. Damaged structures and traffic lights may make it difficult to get to the destination.

  • How can you stay “safer” during an earthquake?

Scientists advise individuals to stay calm, not to panic but to brace up and face whatever comes with courage as you look for safety.

It is best to stay in an open space, away from trees, power lines, or bridges. If you’re indoors, emergency rescuers advise: Drop to the ground and place your hands over your head and neck and crawl to safety under heavy furniture, say a table.

Even so, avoid the kitchen area, shelves, windows since the shaking is likely to shatter window panes or move dangerous objects that could harm you as you look for safety.

By: Nation

Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print

MORE NEWS

Official Reopening of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Archives

CultureEducationLocal News
November 23, 2024

Kenya’s small farmers find respite in avocados amid changing climate

NAIROBI(SONNA) As crop diseases and pests rise in Kenya amid a rapidly changing climate that…

March 11, 2023

World Environment Day 2025 Commemorated in Mogadishu

Mogadishu, (SONNA) — The Minister of Environment and Climate Change H.E. Lt. Gen. Bashir Mohamed…

June 5, 2025

Nimcaan Hilaac appointed to lead Waberi National Band

Mogadishu (SONNA)-Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Mohamed…

March 3, 2020

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

8 dead dozens others wounded in a shooting in Johavah Witness center

Berlin, (SONNA) - The shooting rampage at a Jehovah's Witness center in Germany left eight people dead, including the gunman,…

World News
March 11, 2023

Somali Defense Minister bids farewell to troops trained in Turkey

Mogadishu (SONNA) - Minister of Defense of the Federal Government of Somalia Hassan Hussein Haji has bid farewell to a…

NewsWorld News
December 15, 2020

A Nation in Resistance: Somalia’s Twin-Front War Against ISIS and al-Shabaab

In a pivotal moment for Somalia’s ongoing struggle against terrorism, both regional and federal forces have launched a formidable offensive…

ArticlesMind & Brain
May 2, 2025

Turkish relief agency helps people in Somalia, Djibouti

Turkey’s state-run aid agency has helped 500 families who had to leave their homes behind in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu to…

NewsWorld News
May 14, 2020

Somali National News Agency established in 1964. It is one of the main pillars of the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

  • Home
  • Local News
  • World News
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Tenders
  • SNTV
  • RADIO MOGADISHU
  • DALKA JOURNAL
  • TOURISM DEPARTMENT

Follow US: 

  • MoICT
  • VILLA SOMALIA
  • OPM SOMALIA

All rights reserved SONNA

©2023

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?