6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Elazığ in eastern Turkey on March 8, 2010
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Elazığ Province, eastern Turkey, killing 42 people and highlighting the country's vulnerability to seismic events.
Key Facts
- Magnitude
- 6.1 Mw
- Date & Time
- 8 March 2010, 02:32 UTC
- Death Toll
- 42 people
- Injured
- 74 people
- Epicentre
- Başyurt, Elazığ Province, eastern Turkey
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Eastern Turkey sits within a highly active seismic zone. One week before the quake, the Turkish Chamber of Civil Engineers had submitted a report to parliament warning of inadequate building construction and predicting that a future major earthquake could kill tens of thousands, particularly in Istanbul.
On 8 March 2010 at 02:32 UTC, a 6.1 Mw earthquake struck with its epicentre at Başyurt in Elazığ Province, eastern Turkey. The tremor struck while most residents were asleep, causing people to fall or jump from buildings and triggering a stampede through the streets.
The earthquake killed 42 people and injured at least 74 others. The disaster drew attention to ongoing concerns about substandard building construction across Turkey, reinforcing warnings already submitted to parliament about the country's seismic risk and the potential for far greater casualties in future events.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 42 (earthquake)
Range: 41 – 57