2020 Elazığ earthquake facts for kids
The 2020 Elazığ earthquake was a strong earthquake that shook parts of Turkey on January 24, 2020. It happened at 8:55 PM local time in Turkey, which was 5:55 PM UTC. Earthquakes are sudden shakes of the Earth's surface, caused by the movement of large sections of rock deep underground.
This earthquake was quite powerful, with a magnitude of 6.7 Mw. The magnitude tells us how much energy was released by the earthquake. A higher number means a stronger earthquake.
Where the Earthquake Happened
The earthquake's epicenter was very close to a town called Sivrice. This town is located in the Elazığ province of Turkey. The epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above where the earthquake started underground.
People felt the shaking not only in Elazığ but also in nearby provinces like Diyarbakır, Malatya, and Adıyaman. The earthquake was so strong that it was even felt in neighboring countries, including Armenia, Syria, and Iran.
Impact of the Earthquake
Sadly, the 2020 Elazığ earthquake caused a lot of damage and sadness.
- A total of 41 people lost their lives.
- More than 1,600 people were injured.
- Many buildings were damaged or collapsed, leaving people without homes.
Rescue teams worked very hard to find people trapped in collapsed buildings and to help those who were injured. People from all over Turkey and other countries sent help and support to the affected areas.
Images for kids
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Map of the Anatolian Plate, featuring the East Anatolian Fault.
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Map of Elazığ Province and surrounds, showing location and seismic intensity of quake. Star marks epicenter.
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Elazığ de 2020 para niños
