ELAZIG GUNISIGI NEWSPAPER – June 2011
A CHEAP ESCAPE
First and foremost, I would like to extend my condolences to our citizens in the rural areas whose homes were rendered uninhabitable by the earthquake, and to our city of Elazığ and our country. Saying we "narrowly escaped" the earthquake might be the most appropriate way to describe it. For the citizens who lost their homes due to the hundreds of severely damaged buildings in the earthquake zone, the consequences of the disaster were certainly painful. However, the consolation here is that there was no loss of life. As Elazığ nicely puts it, "we had one, and it came to us."
The 5.3 magnitude earthquake that occurred on Thursday (June 23, 2011) is now recorded in the literature as the Elazığ-Maden Earthquake. After the main shock, many aftershocks followed. The depth of the earthquake and its brief duration can be seen as the most significant reasons why no lives were lost.
The region where the earthquake occurred is also located in the first-degree risk zone on Turkey’s Earthquake Hazard Map, which means it is a high-risk area where a destructive earthquake could occur at any time. The first 5.3 magnitude tremor was very close to Kartaldere Village. The largest aftershock was also located to the northwest of Kartaldere. Therefore, this village was one of the most affected by the earthquake in terms of structural damage.
The studies conducted by the Firat Civil Engineers Association (FİMDER) and the Structural Damage Investigation teams of the Department of Civil Engineering in the region once again highlighted the necessity of a National Earthquake Strategy that we continually emphasize.
Just as humans, trees, animals, and insects have a lifespan, so do buildings. Especially in rural areas, the lifespan of buildings is shorter due to the materials used in construction and maintenance conditions. The fault does not lie in the concrete, stone, brick, or adobe—let’s not place the blame on others. The fault lies with all of us who are indifferent to this issue.
The villages most affected by the earthquake were Sarıkamış, Kumlu, Kumyazı, Kartaldere, Tepecik, and Yeşilova. The buildings in these villages predominantly have masonry load-bearing systems, and many are made of adobe. These old, heavy, and worn-out structures cannot be expected to withstand an earthquake.
You can see the force of the earthquake by looking at the minaret of Konakalmaz Village. The upper level of the minaret’s balcony has been damaged, as if it was cut off and then placed back in position. The same damage can be seen in the minarets of Sarıkamış, Kartaldere, and Tepecik Villages. So, should we stop building these important structures, the symbols and markers of mosques, just because they suffer damage in an earthquake? Of course not. However, we need to change the building system. We should develop earthquake-resistant, lightweight, and aesthetic minaret systems. Despite these structures being damaged in every earthquake, the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) or the Mufti's Office has not initiated any efforts in this area.
If the Mufti’s Office starts such a project, I guarantee that FİMDER will offer its full support on the structural system, voluntarily and as necessary. I am confident that the Elazığ Branch of the Chamber of Architects will also do what is needed. We are also hoping for the support of our press and respected columnists on this issue.
Earthquake and building safety should occupy an important place in the agenda of everyone who cares about this country. The more we keep this issue in the public eye, the faster solutions will emerge.
I would also like to remind you that Kütahya-Simav is still shaking. I wish the citizens there strength and hope they can return to their happy lives as soon as possible.
You can access photos related to the Elazığ earthquake at www.firat.org.tr. Our final words regarding the earthquake remain the same: "In societies with a high level of civilization, who have their eyes set on the future with goals and large projects, the safest places during an earthquake are their own homes."