High-Resolution (Centimeter-Scale) Drone Mapping of Surface Ruptures from the February 6, 2023 Earthquake Sequence in Eastern Türkiye

The February 6, 2023 earthquake sequence in eastern Türkiye stands as one of the most catastrophic seismic events of the past century. This study presents high-resolution (centimeter-scale) drone maps of surface ruptures recorded 10 days after the event. Our dataset includes the complete rupture of the Narli segment along the Dead Sea Transform Fault, responsible for the initial Mw 7.8 earthquake, and detailed mapping of three additional rupture sites along the East Anatolia Fault Zone.

These geo-referenced maps and ground offset data reveal that the earthquake sequence commenced along the Dead Sea Transform Fault, induced by the northward displacement of the Arabian Plate. This movement subsequently triggered the slip along the East Anatolia Fault, which had accumulated significant tectonic stress. The rupture transferred both sides of the fault, resulting in extensive structural damage. The subsequent Mw 7.5 earthquake along the Çardak-Sürgü Fault, occurring nine hours later, was triggered in the same way, after a Mw 4.5 event at the intersection of the East Anatolian and Çardak-Sürgü Faults.

En echelon fracture patterns are the most common surface deformation style along all the fault zones regardless of the base rock and topography, cut basins and ridges directly instead of always following the pre-existing weak surfaces. The biggest surface offset is at the intersection of the Dead Sea Transform Fault and the East Anatolia Fault, 47.5 kilometers from the epicenter, suggesting that the surface rupture is the result of long-term accumulated stress release along the fault system, triggered by one earthquake event caused by plate motion.

Our findings offer vital insights into surface deformation features of continental strike-slip earthquakes, elucidate rupture propagation mechanisms, and shed light on the interaction and slip transfer between complex fault systems within a contemporary continental collision zone. These observations contribute to a deeper understanding of how those displacements accommodate plate motions and ”displace“ human beings at the same time.