Analyzing seismic impact across regions: A comprehensive study of the Pazarcık and Elbistan earthquakes in Türkiye (February 6, 2023)

Abstract

The seismic events in Pazarcık (Mw 7.7) and Elbistan (Mw 7.6) on February 6, 2023, caused widespread damage and destruction across 11 provinces and districts in eastern Türkiye. Despite similarities in construction quality and structural stock characteristics, notable differences in the patterns of destruction between the affected cities have highlighted the need for a more detailed investigation. This study focuses on examining local site effects and seismic behavior in residential areas within the impacted zone to better understand the structural damage caused by these earthquakes. Geotechnical data from the affected cities were used as the basis for conducting nonlinear seismic site response analyses. These analyses, using real earthquake records measured in city centers, explored factors such as liquefaction potential, amplification capacity, and the dynamic behavior of soil profiles under seismic loads. Simulations based on actual earthquake records and soil data provided insights into the causes of structural damage in the affected areas during both seismic events. Finally, an evaluation of site effects on structural damage resulting from both major earthquakes was conducted, offering valuable insights through a comprehensive analysis of the results.