Devastating earthquake and aftershocks hit Turkey and Syria
On Monday morning the 6th, a strong 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey just 14.2 miles east of Nurdagi. As of Monday afternoon at 6 PM there have been nearly 3,500 deaths and over 15,000 injuries in Turkey and Syria due to this earthquake and various aftershocks.
The epicenter of this strong earthquake occurred 14.9 miles beneath the earths surface which has lead to an additional total of 77 aftershocks rating a magnitude 4.0 or greater on the Richter scale.
The initial earthquake rating of 7.8 on the Richter scale leads to large devastation and nearly considered a major earthquake by strength standards.
The strongest aftershock recorded so far was a 7.5 magnitude aftershock which plunged conditions even more into a spiral for the two countries. This aftershock is stronger than earthquakes seen by the New Madrid Seismic Zone almost over 100 years.
February is officially earthquake preparedness month as observed by the state of Missouri. When an earthquake occurs, experts say the best way to stay safe is to drop to the ground, cover yourself, and hold onto any structure nearby until the shaking stops.
