On February 6, 2023, a massive earthquake struck Turkey.
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The earthquake was so massive that destruction from it spread to northern and western parts of Syria.
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A massive earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck Turkey on February 6, 2023 at approximately 1:17 UTC (8:17 pm EST, Feb.5). The epicenter of the earthquake was located 34 km (21 mi) west of the city of Gaziantep. The hypocenter of the earthquake was at a depth of approximately 17.9 km (11.1 mi).
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A seismograph showing the detection of the earthquake in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The earthquake was of sufficient strength that seismograph stations around the world registered its impact; the seismograph view to the right was captured at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee!
Nine hours later a second major earthquake of magnitude 7.7 occurred NE of the original quake.
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- Zoom out and see how close these two major earthquakes were to the Syrian border. Click here if you need help with this.
Did You Know?
Turkey is the only country in the world that spans two continents, Europe and Asia?
The Bosphorus Strait, which runs through Istanbul, separates the two continents, with the European side on the west and the Asian side on the east. This unique location has given Turkey a rich cultural heritage that reflects both Eastern and Western influences. In fact, Istanbul itself was once the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, making it one of the most historically significant cities in the world. Today, Turkey is a vibrant and modern country that is home to stunning natural landscapes, delicious cuisine, and friendly people.