High‐Resolution Co‐Seismic Surface Displacement Distribution of the 6 February 2023, Elbistan (Kahramanmaraş) Earthquake (Mw 7.6), Türkiye

Abstract This study investigates the Elbistan Earthquake, the second event of an earthquake doublet that struck south‐central Türkiye with magnitudes Mw 7.7 and Mw 7.6, on 6 February 2023. While space‐based geodetic and remote sensing studies have provided information on surface rupture and displacement distribution, detailed rupture strands and ground deformations were not thoroughly documented. To address this gap, we generated a high‐resolution (∼5 cm/px) and continuous 300‐m‐wide strip map along the entire surface rupture. Our mapping reveals a primarily sinistral rupture length of approximately 143 km between Göksun and Gözene, with previously unrecognized faults at the westernmost 4.5 km and easternmost 20 km. In the east, the rupture rotates 42° anticlockwise and propagates NE along an unmapped fault rather than the Sürgü and Doğanşehir faults. The rupture is divided into seven major sections: Göksun, Ericek, Ekinözü, Barış, Nurhak Fault Complexity, Kullar, Gözene and Eskiköy splay. The width of the deformation zone of primary and secondary features varies from a few meters to 1.5 km along these sections. Our analysis of 538 co‐seismic displacements reveal maximum displacement of 10.58 ± 0.3 m in the Ekinözü section. The mean co‐seismic displacement along the rupture is 4.1 m based on a moving mean fit to the displacements. These findings provide crucial insights into the Elbistan Earthquake co‐seismic surface deformation and displacement distribution, enhancing our understanding of the rupture mechanics and contributing valuable high‐resolution data for seismic hazard assessment in the region.

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Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth
Published
2025-10-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025jb031452
Primary Topic
earthquake and tectonic studies
Type
article
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article

High‐Resolution Co‐Seismic Surface Displacement Distribution of the 6 February 2023, Elbistan (Kahramanmaraş) Earthquake (Mw 7.6), Türkiye

Ö. Kozaci, Mehmet Akif Sarıkaya, Rich Koehler, Erhan Altunel et al.
Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth
earthquake and tectonic studies
article

High‐Resolution Co‐Seismic Surface Displacement Distribution of the 6 February 2023, Elbistan (Kahramanmaraş) Earthquake (Mw 7.6), Türkiye

Ö. Kozaci, Mehmet Akif Sarıkaya, Rich Koehler, Erhan Altunel, Kevin B. Clahan, Cengiz Yıldırım, Semih Sami Akay, Orkan Özcan, Yusuf Gedik, Melike Karataş
article en

Abstract

Abstract This study investigates the Elbistan Earthquake, the second event of an earthquake doublet that struck south‐central Türkiye with magnitudes Mw 7.7 and Mw 7.6, on 6 February 2023. While space‐based geodetic and remote sensing studies have provided information on surface rupture and displacement distribution, detailed rupture strands and ground deformations were not thoroughly documented. To address this gap, we generated a high‐resolution (∼5 cm/px) and continuous 300‐m‐wide strip map along the entire surface rupture. Our mapping reveals a primarily sinistral rupture length of approximately 143 km between Göksun and Gözene, with previously unrecognized faults at the westernmost 4.5 km and easternmost 20 km. In the east, the rupture rotates 42° anticlockwise and propagates NE along an unmapped fault rather than the Sürgü and Doğanşehir faults. The rupture is divided into seven major sections: Göksun, Ericek, Ekinözü, Barış, Nurhak Fault Complexity, Kullar, Gözene and Eskiköy splay. The width of the deformation zone of primary and secondary features varies from a few meters to 1.5 km along these sections. Our analysis of 538 co‐seismic displacements reveal maximum displacement of 10.58 ± 0.3 m in the Ekinözü section. The mean co‐seismic displacement along the rupture is 4.1 m based on a moving mean fit to the displacements. These findings provide crucial insights into the Elbistan Earthquake co‐seismic surface deformation and displacement distribution, enhancing our understanding of the rupture mechanics and contributing valuable high‐resolution data for seismic hazard assessment in the region.

Journal of Geophysical Research Solid EarthVol. 130(11)
University of Nevada, Reno (US), Pacific Environment (US), Lettis Consultants International (United States) (US), Istanbul Technical University (TR), Eskişehir Osmangazi University (TR), Istanbul University (TR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 67%
earthquake and tectonic studies
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