Analysis of the relationships between magnitude and intensity in the light of the february 6 earthquakes: A case study of Hatay

Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural disasters due to their unpredictable nature and multidimensional consequences. In addition to threatening the physical integrity of buildings, they also leave profound economic, social, and psychological effects on societal life. In this context, it is of great importance to scientifically analyze the fundamental parameters of earthquakes to minimize the destruction caused by seismic events. This thesis investigates the effects of the seismic motions generated by the Pazarcık (Mw: 7.7) and Elbistan (Mw: 7.6) earthquakes, which occurred on February 6, 2023, and the Yayladağı (Mw: 6.4) earthquake on February 20, 2023, specifically within the province of Hatay. In the study, relationships between parameters such as magnitude, intensity, focal depth, epicentral distance, acceleration, and earthquake duration were analyzed through empirical correlations. For this purpose, the correlations proposed by researchers such as Karnik, Shebalin, Medvedev, Gutenberg-Richter, M. İpek, A. Tabban-S. Gençoğlu, Kawasumi, Estava, Housner, and Bath were utilized. The parameters were calculated separately for each of the three major earthquakes; in addition, comparisons of epicentral distance, intensity, and focal depth were made for all the districts of Hatay. As a result of the analyses, it was determined that some correlations provided reliable and consistent results, while others showed poor compatibility due to regional conditions. The obtained average intensity values were highly consistent with AFAD and literature data. Additionally, the acceleration values calculated using the Estava correlation were found to show similarity with AFAD station records, which allowed for inferences about the regional soil structure. This study aims to contribute to the scientific infrastructure for building design and risk reduction strategies by analyzing the local effects of large earthquakes through the interrelationships between parameters.