The big earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria was centered in southern Turkey near the northern border of Syria and had a depth of 11 miles (18 kilometers).
The earthquake was followed by many aftershocks, 13 significant aftershocks with a magnitude of at least 5 occurred in the first 11 hours. Another strong quake of magnitude 7.5 hit Turkey nine hours later.
The earthquake was a strike-slip earthquake where two tectonic plates slid past each other horizontally.
The area is seismically active and is known as the East Anatolian fault zone and has produced damaging earthquakes in the past. Turkey has a history of earthquakes and was struck by another major earthquake in January 2020.
The earthquake was devastating because it was powerful for an on-land earthquake and hit near heavily populated areas. The affected regions were also home to vulnerable buildings, and many structures were not designed to withstand earthquakes.
The earthquake was devastating because it was powerful for an on-land earthquake and hit near heavily populated areas. The affected regions were also home to vulnerable buildings, and many structures were not designed to withstand earthquakes.
Thousands of buildings collapsed in the wake of the earthquake, including pancake collapses, a sign that the buildings couldn't absorb the shaking.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by freezing temperatures and traffic jams from residents trying to leave quake-stricken areas.