Provincial-level analysis of land use changes following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes using sentinel-2 land use/land cover time series data

Natural disasters significantly impact human settlements and land use. The February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquakes caused extensive changes in land use and land cover (LULC) across 11 provinces in Turkey. This study analyzes these changes using Sentinel-2 LULC time series data from 2022 to 2023. The study area includes Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa, and Elazığ. LULC classifications—agriculture, settlement, bare ground, trees, and water—were analyzed using ArcGIS to assess annual change rates. Results indicate that settlements expanded, especially in Hatay, Gaziantep, and Osmaniye (3-4%), due to post-earthquake reconstruction. Agricultural land increased in Şanlıurfa and Kilis but declined in Elazığ and Adıyaman. Bare ground areas decreased, suggesting erosion control and afforestation efforts. Small increases in water bodies were observed, indicating potential environmental benefits. These findings highlight the importance of sustainable land management and post-disaster planning to mitigate future risks.