The municipality of Erzin, located less than 50 miles from the epicenter of the disaster and closer than southern cities in Hatay, managed to withstand the devastating earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale. While destruction surrounded it on all sides, this small town experienced minimal damage. According to the town's mayor, the reason lies in the building standards that are implemented and enforced there. However, scientists have a different opinion, believing that it is related to the nature of the soil and geology, as well as the fortunate location of the town on very solid ground.
In this context, Omar Emri, a geomorphologist who has spent 40 years studying fault lines in the area, and is currently working with a private research group called Fugro, confirmed that "the state of the soil is the main reason for not suffering significant damage." He explained that many cities in southern Turkey are built on layers of sand, silt, and clay, making their soil soft, especially in Hatay province. He also pointed out that "these sediments or wet soft soils amplify the impact of earthquakes on cities and villages."
Another geologist, Tamer Doman, affirmed to the New York Times that Erzin is elevated above sea level and built on solid rock. He noted that solid ground acts as a "shock absorber for seismic waves, reducing the extent of destruction."
