3.3. Impact of Earthquakes on Dwellings

The picture which you are seeing here is in the Cappadocia and also the central Antolian region of Turkey. There is a very different landscapes of these pinnacles, the tufa rock pinnacles which are spreaded over in the Anatolian region and these are basically formed from the ancient deposits of the lava dust and because of the exposure to the air this soft rock hardens so that the interiors can have the firm walls and the stone can be carved with some voids and which actually becomes a kind of living spaces.

In Turkey, particularly in the Cappadocia region, there are unique geological formations made of tufa rock. This rock is soft and can be carved into living spaces. It is formed from volcanic ash that hardens when exposed to air, creating both stable walls and rooms. These formations are not only beautiful natural landmarks but have also been utilized by humans for shelter and habitation for centuries.

Imagine building a house out of a large soft sponge. Initially, the sponge is easy to shape and mold into a structure, but over time, it can harden and provide strong walls. This is similar to how tufa rock can be carved into homes.

If you ever look into the Turkey, it actually falls the fault line in the world which the global fault line which actually passes through the Turkey and Turkey is prone to the earthquakes and these tufa pinnacles being a very soft rock nature, they often collapse destroying many dwellings and also causing a serious loss of life.

Turkey is situated on a significant fault line, making it vulnerable to frequent earthquakes. The soft nature of tufa rock means that when earthquakes occur, these geological structures can easily collapse, leading to the destruction of homes and loss of lives. The safety of buildings in such areas must be carefully considered to prevent disasters during seismic events.

Think of a stack of Jenga blocks, where the bottom blocks can easily be knocked out. If an earthquake hits, it’s like shaking the table, causing the Jenga tower to collapse. Similarly, the homes built in Turkey's soft rock areas risk collapsing during an earthquake.

During the earthquakes and of course, these communities were given an opportunity to go back and resettle in someplace but some have they denied going back, many of the communities they denied going back.

Communities affected by earthquakes often face the difficult choice of whether to return to their original homes or relocate to safer areas. In many cases, despite the risks involved, some residents choose to return to their neighborhoods. This can be due to emotional ties, cultural significance of the location, or economic opportunities that exist in their home area.

Think of a family whose house burned down in a fire. Even after the fire, they may feel attached to their neighborhood and want to rebuild and return home, despite knowing there could be similar risks in the future.

There is also the other aspect of their livelihood, which they also have which has actually attracted them back to it and that is why because it is being a tourist spot, so it has actually brought these people back.

Economic opportunities play a significant role in the decision of whether to return to earthquake-prone areas. In some cases, these areas are attractive to tourists, providing jobs and income for local residents. Thus, despite the risks of earthquakes, the potential for financial gain can draw people back to their communities.

It’s like a popular restaurant that has repeated issues with small fires. People still want to eat there because it’s famous, and the job opportunities keep people returning despite the risks of it catching fire again.

In 1968, there has been a vast earthquake which has destroyed the restaurant Sicily almost leaving 1 lakh people homeless. There is a small city called Gibellina and this is one of the most affected places in the Belice Valley, which was completely razed to the ground and its community of shepherds and farm labourers relocated to the temporary tent camps.

The 1968 earthquake in Sicily had devastating effects, destroying the town of Gibellina and displacing many residents. After the earthquake, the community had to move into temporary shelters as they sought safety and stability. This event emphasizes the direct impact of earthquakes on human lives, forcing immediate and long-term displacement.

Consider a hurricane that wipes out a town, forcing everyone to evacuate to shelters. The residents of Gibellina faced a similar crisis, having to leave their homes and live in temporary conditions until they could rebuild.

The mayor of that particular Gibellina, mayor Corra he talked about, he thought about how disasters could be taken as an opportunity rather the curse because disasters are the agents of change.

After the earthquake, the mayor of Gibellina proposed that instead of viewing the disaster purely as a tragedy, it could be seen as an opportunity for positive change and community renewal. This idea recognizes that disasters can prompt significant transformations in society, opening up possibilities for improvement and innovation.

Imagine a city that experiences a flood which damages old infrastructure. Instead of rebuilding the same structures, the city sees it as a chance to create new parks or better drainage systems, turning a disaster into a beneficial upgrade.

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