Location:

Period:

29 Nov 2011 19:10:05 - 10 Dec 2011 18:31:13 (10 days 23 hours 21 minutes)

Volcanoes in 100km radius:

Nemrut Dagi(92km)

Earthquakes:

7 swarms found nearby.

2011

PS20111023.1(21.0km)

23 Oct

1 day 4 hours

10 earthquakes

S20111023.1(25.1km)

23 Oct

69 days 9 hours

2474 earthquakes

S20111027.2(10.5km)

26 Oct

2 days 14 hours

99 earthquakes

S20111030.1(28.5km)

29 Oct

2 days 2 hours

46 earthquakes

S20111105.1(27.6km)

4 Nov

24 days 12 hours

631 earthquakes

S20111119.2(27.8km)

18 Nov

3 days 5 hours

70 earthquakes

2012

S20120801.1(29.0km)

31 Jul

1 day 6 hours

29 earthquakes

AI-generated article — for informational and entertainment purposes only. May contain inaccuracies. Full disclaimerFound an error?

Seismic Swarm S20111130.1 in Eastern Turkey: Analysis and Regional Context

Eastern Turkey lies within one of the most seismically active zones on Earth, shaped by the ongoing collision between the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This convergence drives lateral escape of crustal blocks along major strike-slip structures, including the East Anatolian Fault and the North Anatolian Fault. The region experiences frequent shallow crustal earthquakes, with historical events demonstrating the potential for destructive shaking in populated areas.

The seismic swarm designated S20111130.1 was recorded in this tectonic setting. It began at 19:10 on 29 November 2011 and concluded at 18:31 on 10 December 2011, spanning 263 hours and 21 minutes. During this period, 95 earthquakes were detected. Magnitudes ranged from 2.0 to a peak of 5.4, with the majority of events occurring at shallow depths between 2 km and 15 km. Depths occasionally reached 22 km, consistent with the brittle upper crust in the area.

The sequence initiated with a magnitude 2.7 event at 2 km depth. Within hours, activity intensified, culminating in a magnitude 5.4 earthquake at 4 km depth early on 30 November. Subsequent events included multiple shocks above magnitude 3.0, such as a 3.8 at 2 km and several 3.5 events. A secondary peak occurred on 4 December with a magnitude 4.8 shock at 4 km depth, followed by aftershocks up to 3.4. Later activity featured smaller events, tapering off by mid-December. Most events clustered in the first few days, illustrating the typical swarm pattern of clustered, moderate-magnitude releases without a single dominant mainshock-aftershock sequence.

This swarm represents the earliest documented episode in the regional record since 2000. Overall, six such swarms have been identified in Eastern Turkey through the present, highlighting episodic swarm behavior amid the broader tectonic framework.

Such swarms provide insight into fluid migration or stress transfer along fault networks in this collision zone. Continued monitoring remains essential given the region's history of larger events capable of significant impact.

References

USGS Earthquake Hazards Program regional tectonics summaries
SeismoSight internal swarm classification records