A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCES: THE CASE OF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2023 MARAŞ EARTHQUAKE

Ali Babahan; Zuhal Güler

Article Details

A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCES: THE CASE OF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2023 MARAŞ EARTHQUAKE

Authors:

Ali Babahan | Zuhal Güler

Publisher:

Ege University

Main Topics:

Sosyoloji (Diğer)

Journal:

Sosyoloji Dergisi Issue 48, pp.190-214

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2024

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001332440

pISSN:

1300-5642

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This study investigates the experiences of individuals who survived the Maraş earthquake on February 6, 2023, employing a phenomenological approach to examine the multifaceted effects of the disaster. Structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants eight women and eight men who relocated to Bolu temporarily or permanently following the earthquake. As one of Turkeys most catastrophic seismic events, it has resulted in significant physical destruction and profound psychological and social ramifications. The majority of survivors perceived the earthquake as a form of punishment or warning, interpreting it through scientific, religious, and conspiratorial frameworks. They experienced intense fear, helplessness, guilt, and a sense of victimization, recounting the event as a combination of intense auditory stimuli, darkness, cold, and mortality. The earthquake significantly altered their perspective on life, leading to increased maturity, religiosity, and heightened awareness regarding the transience of existence. Social relationships were also affected by the earthquake, with some survivors withdrawing from relatives and close acquaintances, while others formed stronger interpersonal bonds. This study underscores the complex nature of the earthquake experience, emphasizing that survivors needs extend beyond physical reconstruction to encompass psychological, social, and economic support. Limitations include the small sample size and the geographic focus on the province of Bolu. Future research should expand to larger, more diverse populations, and consider the long-term effects of such traumatic events. These findings are critical for developing effective post-earthquake interventions and support strategies that address the comprehensive needs of survivors.

 This study investigates the experiences of individuals who survived the Maraş earthquake on February 6, 2023, employing a phenomenological approach to examine the multifaceted effects of the disaster. Structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants eight women and eight men who relocated to Bolu temporarily or permanently following the earthquake. As one of Turkeys most catastrophic seismic events, it has resulted in significant physical destruction and profound psychological and social ramifications. The majority of survivors perceived the earthquake as a form of punishment or warning, interpreting it through scientific, religious, and conspiratorial frameworks. They experienced intense fear, helplessness, guilt, and a sense of victimization, recounting the event as a combination of intense auditory stimuli, darkness, cold, and mortality. The earthquake significantly altered their perspective on life, leading to increased maturity, religiosity, and heightened awareness regarding the transience of existence. Social relationships were also affected by the earthquake, with some survivors withdrawing from relatives and close acquaintances, while others formed stronger interpersonal bonds. This study underscores the complex nature of the earthquake experience, emphasizing that survivors needs extend beyond physical reconstruction to encompass psychological, social, and economic support. Limitations include the small sample size and the geographic focus on the province of Bolu. Future research should expand to larger, more diverse populations, and consider the long-term effects of such traumatic events. These findings are critical for developing effective post-earthquake interventions and support strategies that address the comprehensive needs of survivors.

 This study investigates the experiences of individuals who survived the Maraş earthquake on February 6, 2023, employing a phenomenological approach to examine the multifaceted effects of the disaster. Structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants eight women and eight men who relocated to Bolu temporarily or permanently following the earthquake. As one of Turkeys most catastrophic seismic events, it has resulted in significant physical destruction and profound psychological and social ramifications. The majority of survivors perceived the earthquake as a form of punishment or warning, interpreting it through scientific, religious, and conspiratorial frameworks. They experienced intense fear, helplessness, guilt, and a sense of victimization, recounting the event as a combination of intense auditory stimuli, darkness, cold, and mortality. The earthquake significantly altered their perspective on life, leading to increased maturity, religiosity, and heightened awareness regarding the transience of existence. Social relationships were also affected by the earthquake, with some survivors withdrawing from relatives and close acquaintances, while others formed stronger interpersonal bonds. This study underscores the complex nature of the earthquake experience, emphasizing that survivors needs extend beyond physical reconstruction to encompass psychological, social, and economic support. Limitations include the small sample size and the geographic focus on the province of Bolu. Future research should expand to larger, more diverse populations, and consider the long-term effects of such traumatic events. These findings are critical for developing effective post-earthquake interventions and support strategies that address the comprehensive needs of survivors.

 Bu çalışma, 6 Şubat 2023 Maraş depreminden sağ kurtulan bireylerin deneyimlerini, felaketin çok yönlü etkilerini anlamak için fenomenolojik bir yaklaşım kullanarak araştırmaktadır. Görüşmeler, depremden sonra geçici veya kalıcı olarak Boluya taşınan 16 katılımcı 8 kadın ve 8 erkek ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Türkiyenin en yıkıcı sismik olaylarından biri olan bu deprem, büyük fiziksel yıkımlara ve derin psikolojik ve sosyal sonuçlara yol açmıştır. Depremden kurtulanlar depremi genellikle bir ceza ya da uyarı olarak algılamış, bilimsel, dini ve komplocu merceklerle yorumlamışlardır. Bu kişiler yoğun bir korku, çaresizlik, suçluluk ve mağduriyet duygusu yaşamışlar ve olayı yoğun işitsel uyaranlar, karanlık, soğuk ve ölümlülüğün bir kombinasyonu olarak anlatmışlardır. Deprem hayata bakış açılarını önemli ölçüde değiştirerek olgunlaşma, dindarlık ve varoluşun geçiciliğine ilişkin farkındalıklarının artmasına yol açmıştır. Depremden sosyal ilişkiler de etkilenmiş, hayatta kalanlardan bazıları akrabalarından ve yakın tanıdıklarından uzaklaşırken, diğerleri daha güçlü kişilerarası bağlar kurmuştur. Çalışma, deprem deneyiminin karmaşık doğasının altını çizmekte ve afetzedelerin ihtiyaçlarının fiziksel yeniden yapılanmanın ötesine geçerek psikolojik, sosyal ve ekonomik desteği de içerdiğini vurgulamaktadır. Örneklemin küçük olması ve coğrafi olarak Bolu iline odaklanılması çalışmanın sınırlılıkları arasındadır. Gelecekteki araştırmalar daha geniş ve daha çeşitli popülasyonları kapsamalı ve bu tür travmatik olayların uzun vadeli etkilerini göz önünde bulundurmalıdır. Bu bulgular, deprem sonrası hayatta kalanların kapsamlı ihtiyaçlarını ele alan daha etkili müdahale ve destek stratejilerinin geliştirilmesi açısından kritik önem taşımaktadır.

Article Details

A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCES: THE CASE OF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2023 MARAŞ EARTHQUAKE

Authors:

Ali Babahan | Zuhal Güler

Publisher:

Ege University

Main Topics:

Sosyoloji (Diğer)

Journal:

Sosyoloji Dergisi Issue 48, pp.190-214

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2024

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001332440

pISSN:

1300-5642

Maraş earthquake

earthquake experience

earthquake survivors

essence of experience

phenomenologyMaraş depremi

deprem deneyimi

depremzede

deneyimin özü

fenomenoloji

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Ali Babahan | Zuhal Güler

Publisher: Ege University

Main Topics: Sosyoloji (Diğer)

Journal: Sosyoloji Dergisi Issue 48, pp.190-214

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 11/2024

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001332440

pISSN: 1300-5642

Issues

Authors:

Ali Babahan | Zuhal Güler

Publisher:

Ege University

Main Topics:

Sosyoloji (Diğer)

Journal:

Sosyoloji Dergisi Issue 48, pp.190-214

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2024

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001332440

pISSN:

1300-5642