Kahramanmaras,
Turkey Earthquake on 6th February 2023- A case study on Sentinel data using Snap
Software
Vijay A., Saravanavel J., Vasudevan S., Ramasamy S.M. and Kumanan C.J.
Disaster Advances; Vol. 19(1); 54-62;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/191da054062; (2026)
Abstract
In the recent era, our earth has become more prone for various disasters like Earthquake,
Tsunami, Cyclones etc. Earthquakes are the most devastating natural disasters, causing
significant loss of life, damage to infrastructure and long-term economic and social
consequences. This study delves earthquake that struck Kahramanmaras, Turkey, on
February 6, 2023, registering a magnitude of 7.8 and significantly impacted southeastern
Turkey and northern Syria. The earthquake-affected zone, based on model estimates,
spanned roughly 350,000 square kilometers, experiencing extensive destruction. Estimates
indicate that up to 9.1 million people were directly impacted, with several million
rendered homeless. In Turkey, nearly 46,000 people lost their lives, with the provinces
of Hatay and Kahramanmaras being the hardest hit, reporting about 21,900 and 12,600
deaths respectively. Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD)
noted that approximately 280,000 buildings were either severely damaged or collapsed,
while an additional 710,000 structures suffered major damage.
In this continuation the focal point of this study is the application of remote
sensing technologies, such as synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical satellite
imagery to assess earthquake-induced changes in land surface deformation and infrastructure
damage. The use of satellite data allows for rapid damage assessment, facilitating
efficient disaster response and recovery efforts. This case study underscores the
importance of integrating satellite-based remote sensing with ground-based data
to provide a comprehensive assessment of earthquake impacts. The findings not only
contribute to the understanding of seismic hazards in the region but also demonstrate
the potential of Sentinel data, processed through SNAP, in improving disaster response
strategies, hazard mapping and infrastructure planning in earthquake-prone areas
like Kahramanmaras.
