Turkey is located on a highly active Eurasian geological plate, the source of numerous large scale earthquakes throughout the country's history. The earliest recorded earthquake dates to 411 B.C. There have been nearly 100 earthquakes with magnitudes 7.0 or greater in Turkey; and fourteen earthquakes with casualties of more than 10,000 have occurred since 342 A.D.
Due to its organic system, geology, topography and climate, Turkey is exposed to various natural disasters resulting in substantial loss of life and property damage. There have been 58 major destructive earthquakes during the period of 1903- 1999, which collectively have killed more than 100,000 people, injured and impaired another 150,000 and destroyed about 420,000 homes and buildings.
Due to its organic system, geology, topography and climate, Turkey is exposed to various natural disasters resulting in substantial loss of life and property damage. There have been 58 major destructive earthquakes during the period of 1903- 1999, which collectively have killed more than 100,000 people, injured and impaired another 150,000 and destroyed about 420,000 homes and buildings.