Did the 2023 Turkey Earthquake Cause a Tsunami?

On February 6 2023 a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Turkey near the city of Gaziantep. This powerful quake caused widespread damage and thousands of deaths across Turkey and Syria. In the aftermath, some may wonder if this severe seismic event also triggered any tsunamis in the region.

Overview of the 2023 Turkey Earthquake

Before discussing the tsunami risk, let’s recap some key details on the earthquake itself:

• Occurred at 4:17 AM local time on February 6, 2023

• Centered about 26 km east of Nurdağı in the Gaziantep province

• Extensive damage reported in Gaziantep Şanlıurfa Diyarbakır. Adana. and other parts of southeast Turkey

• Strong shaking felt as far away as Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus

• Measured a massive 7.8 magnitude on the Moment Magnitude Scale

• Caused by the Anatolian tectonic plate grinding against the Arabian plate

• Followed by dozens of strong aftershocks, including a 7.5 magnitude tremor

• Resulted in thousands of collapsed or damaged buildings

• Led to more than 5,000 deaths and thousands more injuries in Turkey and Syria

This was Turkey’s largest earthquake since 1939 and one of the most deadly seismic events worldwide in over a decade. The extreme shaking caused catastrophic impacts on cities and infrastructure near the epicenter.

Did the Turkey Earthquake Generate a Tsunami?

Given the earthquake’s massive magnitude, some individuals wondered if it may have also triggered tsunamis in surrounding bodies of water. However, based on seismic data and tsunami monitoring systems, no significant tsunami occurred as a result of the Turkey earthquake.

While small tsunami waves just a few centimeters high were observed in the Mediterranean Sea following the first quake, these tiny ripples did not pose any threat. As the USGS Tsunami Alert Center stated, “sea level observations indicate no threat”.

Here are some reasons why the Turkey earthquake did not generate a dangerous tsunami event:

• Inland Location – The earthquake was centered inland, about 90 km from the Mediterranean coastline. Inland quakes are less likely to displace seafloor and thrust upward tsunami waves.

• Strike-Slip Fault – The quake occurred on a predominantly horizontal strike-slip fault with lateral motion, rather than a thrust fault with vertical motion. Strike-slip mechanisms typically do not displace enough seawater to form a significant tsunami.

• Small Seafloor Displacement – Based on seismic data, the Turkey quake only displaced a very small section of seafloor near the epicenter. Larger displacement over a wider area is needed to initiate a tsunami.

• Enclosed Sea – The Mediterranean Sea is somewhat enclosed and semi-contained. This limits the distance tsunami waves can travel and build up height. Open oceans allow longer wave run-up.

• Tsunami Warning Systems – Sophisticated tsunami detection buoys and tide gauges in the Mediterranean confirmed no abnormal wave activity or rise in sea levels after the quake.

So while the Turkey-Syria earthquake was extremely devastating, current data indicates it did not trigger any destructive tsunami. The characteristics of the seismic event, fault type, and surrounding geography prevented significant vertical seafloor movement that could displace water to form large tsunami waves. The risk remains low for any delayed tsunami.

Could Aftershocks Generate a Tsunami?

The Turkey earthquake has been followed by frequent aftershocks, including a M7.5 tremor just hours after the main quake. Do these aftershocks increase the tsunami threat for the region?

According to seismologists, the possibility is very low that any of the Turkey earthquake aftershocks would spawn a damaging tsunami based on their magnitude, location, and depth. Aftershocks are generally smaller than the initial quake. Additionally, tsunami warning systems remain alert and would detect any unusual waves.

However, experts advise that coastal areas continue to monitor updated tsunami guidance in case any aftershocks did theoretically trigger larger than expected seismic sea waves. So far though, observation equipment confirms the Mediterranean coastline remains safe from any tsunami danger related to this earthquake sequence.

Historical Tsunamis in the Region

While this event did not generate a tsunami, the Mediterranean region has experienced destructive seismic sea waves in the past:

• 365 CE – An estimated M8 earthquake off Crete caused a tsunami up to 15 meters high, destroying cities along the Egyptian coast. Thousands were killed.

• 1303 CE – A powerful quake off Sicily generated 10 meter tsunami waves that flooded parts of Italy, Sicily, and Malta.

• 1660 CE – An earthquake in the Strait of Messina, Italy created a 6 meter tsunami. It caused damage on the coasts of Sicily and Malta.

• 1868 – The Arica earthquake in Peru created a tsunami that traveled across the Pacific. It killed over 25,000 people after reaching Greece, Libya, and Malta.

• 1908 – A magnitude 7.1 quake near Messina, Italy generated a 13 meter tsunami that struck the coasts of Calabria and Sicily, leaving over 70,000 dead.

• 1956 – The Amorgos Island earthquake triggered a 30 meter tsunami locally in the Cyclades Islands of Greece, as well as disturbances felt as far as Malta, Sicily and Turkey’s southern coast.

So while the 2023 Turkey earthquake thankfully did not add to this deadly history, the Mediterranean region remains susceptible to seismic tsunamis due to active fault zones. Tsunami early warning systems and education are vital to protect coastal residents in the area.