Achieving Intensity Distributions of 6 February 2023 Kahramanmaraş (Türkiye) Earthquakes from Peak Ground Acceleration Records

Abstract

On 6 February 2023, two large earthquakes struck southern Türkiye on the same day, resulting in a considerable loss of life and property damage over a large region that included 11 cities. After these disasters, there was a requirement to define the soil-related intensity distribution, aside from manufacturing defects caused by buildings. The modified Mercalli intensity (MMI) scale results in the same intensity value (XI) when decimal values are not mathematically considered, even though the fundamental data in the AFAD and USGS sources differ. In this study, an equation based on the MMI–PGA relationship was obtained and tested with ten previously developed equations to calculate the earthquake intensity. Seven of these selected equations, depending on the earthquake magnitude, were calculated comparatively. The equation most compatible with the earthquakes that occurred on 6 February 2023 was obtained in this study. In addition, it was decided that three similar equations could also be used. Intensity distribution maps were created according to the calculated MMI values. In this way, it has been observed that different earthquake intensity values are more sensitive, reliable, objective, and sustainable.