Izmit 1999

Events of the earthquake

On August 17, 1999 at 3:01 AM an earthquake struck in the city of Izmit, Turkey.

Depth of 17 km

Measured 7.4 on the Richter scale

Produced up to 60 km of cracks in the earth’s surface

Rebuilding Izmit

Tent cities to help the homeless

Some people were very scared to go into their homes

Other people left Izmit

People stayed and helped rebuild buildings

Why did the buildings fall?

Cheaply built

65% of all buildings in Turkey are built without a permit

Mud brick structures got destroyed

Protecting buildings from earthquakes

Structural engineers make sure that materials don’t collapse because of an earthquake

They rely on flexibility and ductility