Earthquakes in Turkey Today – Live Earthquake Map

Earthquakes in Turkey TodayThis page tracks recent earthquakes in Turkey using live data from the USGS. For every event you can see the magnitude, depth in kilometres, location and the time it occurred, and the map below plots recent seismic activity across the country and the surrounding seas. The data refreshes automatically every few minutes, so the list and map always reflect the latest recorded quakes.Earthquake Activity in TurkeyTurkey is one of the most seismically active countries in the world because it sits on the Anatolian plate, which is being squeezed between the Eurasian plate to the north and the African and Arabian plates to the south. That collision pushes Anatolia westwards, and the strain is released as earthquakes along the faults that run across the country.Most Turkish earthquakes occur along two major strike-slip fault systems. The North Anatolian Fault runs roughly east to west across northern Turkey, close to Istanbul and the Sea of Marmara, and the East Anatolian Fault runs through the south-east of the country. Extension in western Turkey and the Aegean adds a third, more scattered pattern of shallow activity.Depth matters because shaking weakens as seismic waves travel. Most Turkish earthquakes are shallow — commonly less than 20 km deep — which is why even moderate magnitudes can be felt strongly and cause damage near the epicentre. A deeper event of the same magnitude usually feels weaker at the surface but is felt across a wider area.Magnitude describes the energy released at the source on a logarithmic scale: each whole step up is about 32 times more energy. Quakes below about M3 are rarely noticed, M4 to M5 events are widely felt, and M6 and above can damage buildings depending on depth, distance and local ground conditions.The map plots each recorded earthquake in Turkey at its epicentre. Circle size and colour reflect magnitude, so larger and stronger events stand out immediately. Select any marker to see the full reading — magnitude, depth, coordinates and time — or change the time range to look at the past hour, day, week, month or year.Frequently Asked Questions

How many earthquakes occur in Turkey?

Turkey records thousands of earthquakes every year, though the large majority are too small to be felt. The live counters on this page show exactly how many quakes have been recorded in and around Turkey over the time range you select, based on earthquake data collected from multiple seismic agencies.

Where do earthquakes occur in Turkey?

Activity concentrates along the North Anatolian Fault across the north of the country, including the Marmara region near Istanbul, along the East Anatolian Fault in the south-east, and across the extensional zone of western Turkey and the Aegean Sea.

Why do shallow earthquakes in Turkey cause more damage?

Shallow earthquakes release their energy close to the surface, so the ground shakes harder near the epicentre. Because many Turkish earthquakes occur at depths under 20 km, magnitude alone does not tell the whole story — the depth listed for each event is just as important.

Data source: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. Enable JavaScript for the live interactive map.