Spatial distribution of damage potential of the 2023 Pazarcik Turkey earthquake using inelastic‐response spectra of recorded and simulated ground motions

On 6 February 2023, a devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck the southeastern part of Turkey, followed by multiple aftershocks. The sequence of earthquakes caused extensive damage in Southern Turkey and Northern Syria. This study evaluates the destructive potential of ground shaking resulting from the Pazarcik mainshock by developing spatial distribution of inelastic demand spectra across the region by using the recorded ground motions. These spectra provide an additional step toward more realistic estimates of the damage potential of ground shaking than the traditional elastic response spectra. Given the recorded ground motions, we also developed simulated ground‐motion time series at numerous un‐instrumented sites. We used these recorded and simulated motions to estimate ductility demands across the affected area. Constant‐ductility spectra were derived using recording stations within 100 km of the fault rupture. The results indicated that in the near‐fault area, and for structural periods of 0.5 and 1.0 s, the yield strength demand at a ductility level of 3 exceeded the levels specified in the local seismic design code for a 475‐year return period. Our findings demonstrate that with more refinement and efficiency of the ground‐motion simulation approach, the development of near‐real‐time spatial distribution of ductility demand is a promising approach for rapid seismic damage assessment of earthquakes.