New study confirms Turkey's 2023 earthquake as country's largest on record.
The twin earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria in February were likely the most powerful doublet ever to occur on land, according to new research. The first earthquake had a moment magnitude of 7.95, and the second had an Mw of around 7.86. The earthquakes were caused by the interaction between different tectonic plates, and ruptured multiple fault segments, causing significant damage. The research highlights the need for countries prone to earthquakes to invest in strengthening structures and prepare the population to mitigate earthquake risks.