Post-earthquake mass movements in Adıyaman province following the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and their impacts

The Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, which occurred on February 6, 2023, triggered mass movements across a wide geographic area. In this study, the mass movements triggered by the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Adıyaman province were identified and their effects were evaluated. According to reports received from the Adıyaman Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), mass movements were identified at 78 locations within residential areas. By evaluating the surface deformations that occurred after the earthquakes in the study area using field observations and satellite imagery (Google Earth), it was revealed that mass movements occurred in many areas outside residential areas. Areas where mass movements occurred, particularly in residential areas, were examined in detail because they constituted disaster-prone areas. To identify the factors contributing to the mass movements in these areas, general and thematic maps of the areas were created, and assessments were conducted using satellite and field photographs. The physical geographic characteristics of the 78 locations where mass movements occurred were identified, and the relationship between the mass movements and physical geographic features was revealed through graphs. These findings reveal that the Southeastern Taurus Mountains and the marginal fold belt located north of Adıyaman province are susceptible to mass movements, while the Adıyaman basin located south of Adıyaman province is largely insensitive to mass movements. Landslides are more likely to occur in areas lithologically composed of Eocene-aged ophiolitic series, while rockfalls are more likely to occur in areas lithologically composed of Middle Triassic-Cretaceous-aged limestone. Mass movements have affected structures, power lines, roads, agricultural and livestock activities.