Location:

Period:

27 Jan 2024 05:19:19 - 4 Feb 2024 03:08:21 (7 days 21 hours 49 minutes)

Volcanoes in 100km radius:

None

Earthquakes:

117

5 swarms found nearby.

2010

S20101112.1(21.0km)

11 Nov

8 days 16 hours

113 earthquakes

2011

S20110206.1(11.6km)

5 Feb

3 days 10 hours

62 earthquakes

2013

S20130504.2(18.1km)

3 May

1 day 19 hours

30 earthquakes

2020

S20201030.2(25.6km)

30 Oct

24 days 12 hours

881 earthquakes

S20201102.1(22.7km)

1 Nov

6 days 5 hours

153 earthquakes

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Earthquake Swarm S20240127.1 in Western Turkey: Analysis and Regional Context

Western Turkey experienced a notable earthquake swarm designated S20240127.1, recorded between 05:19 on 27 January 2024 and 03:08 on 4 February 2024. Over 189 hours and 49 minutes, the swarm produced 117 earthquakes. The sequence began with a magnitude 5.1 event at 11 km depth, followed by numerous smaller shocks predominantly in the 1.1–3.8 range.

Analysis of the first 100 events reveals a typical swarm pattern dominated by low-magnitude activity. Depths clustered between 4 km and 12 km, with the majority occurring at 6–9 km. The largest event remained the initial 5.1 shock; subsequent peaks included magnitudes 3.8, 3.2, and 2.9. Shallow events (under 5 km) were infrequent but notable, such as the 2.4 magnitude quake at 0 km depth on 27 January. Temporal distribution showed highest frequency in the first 48 hours, gradually declining thereafter.

Western Turkey lies within the Aegean extensional province, where back-arc spreading driven by the rollback of the Hellenic subduction zone produces widespread normal faulting. The region experiences ongoing crustal thinning and rapid extension rates of 20–30 mm per year. This tectonic setting has generated multiple historical earthquake sequences, including destructive events in 1928 and 1956 near the Büyük Menderes Graben.

Seismic swarms have occurred in the area since 2000, with five documented episodes: one each in 2010, 2011, and 2013, and two in 2020. These swarms typically reflect fluid migration or aseismic slip along segmented normal faults rather than mainshock-aftershock sequences. The 2024 swarm shares similar characteristics, with rapid onset, lack of a dominant aftershock decay, and concentration at mid-crustal depths.

The combination of active extensional tectonics and historical swarm recurrence indicates that Western Turkey remains prone to clustered seismic activity. Continued monitoring supports improved understanding of fault interactions and hazard assessment in this rapidly deforming region.

References:
USGS Earthquake Catalog (earthquake.usgs.gov)
Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) seismic reports
McKenzie, D. (1978). Active tectonics of the Alpine–Himalayan belt. Geophysical Journal International.
Jolivet, L. et al. (2013). Aegean tectonics. Tectonics.