Category: Engineering

Why the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake Is Leading to a Disease Outbreak

Why the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake Is Leading to a Disease Outbreak

Why the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake Is Leading to a Disease Outbreak

02/15/23

“Why is the 2023 Türkiye–Syria leading to a disease outbreak?”

Infrastructure across Southeastern Türkiye and Northwestern Syria has been pulverized by the 2023 earthquake. Water sanitation has been no exception. As clean water has been made undeliverable, survivors are finding it hard to wash themselves and stay away from diseases. In addition, the little local water people are able to find is likely not purified and full of pathogens and parasites. Pulling everything together, it’s clear Why the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake Is Leading to a Disease Outbreak.

As of writing, victims of the earthquake are continuing to face great difficulties in their daily life. To make a difference, please make a donation to organizations such as the Syrian White Helmets and the Anatolian Arts Institute Earthquake Relief Fund. My friends are also connecting donations to small municipalities and vetted organizations through the venmo account @earthquake-relief. Anything you send will go a long way.

Why the Aftershock Quakes Made the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake Particularly Intense

Why the Aftershock Quakes Made the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake Particularly Intense

Why the Aftershock Quakes Made the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake Particularly Intense

02/14/23

“Why did the aftershock quakes make the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake particularly intense?”

Southeastern Türkiye and Northwestern Syria woke up the morning of February 6th to a brutal magnitude 7.8 earthquake. While a quake of that size would devastate any community, what followed made it especially gruesome. Soon after, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit a region slightly to the north. These were followed by over 2,100 aftershocks that further rumbled the ground. Structures that were built to survive an earthquake were weakened and destroyed by the onslaught of follow-up shakings. This is Why the Aftershock Quakes Made the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake Particularly Intense.

Why it is Difficult to Deliver Earthquake Relief Aid to Syria

Why it is Difficult to Deliver Earthquake Relief Aid to Syria

Why it is Difficult to Deliver Earthquake Relief Aid to Syria

02/13/23

“Why is it difficult to deliver earthquake relief aid to Syria?”

The Northwestern Syrian province of Idlib has been a warzone for over a decade now. The Assad regime and Russia’s bombing campaigns have forced over 4.1 million Syrian civilians to flee to this patch of rebel-held territory. The recent (as of writing) earthquake has only made matters worse. While there is a strong desire to send aid, delivering it is greatly difficult. Why is this so?

To understand, we need to learn a bit about the ongoing civil war and genocide in Syria. The Assad regime considers any international aid being brought from other countries such as Türkiye to be a violation of its sovereignty. Currently, there is only one border pass, Bab al-Hawa, where aid is allowed to flow through. The Assad regime’s backers, Russia and China, have used their veto powers at the U.N. Security Council to block more aid routes into Syria from Türkiye.

When the earthquake struck, the road through the crossing border was severely damaged. This is Why it is Difficult to Deliver Earthquake Relief Aid to Syria. With the cold winter in place, please make a donation to the Syrian White Helmets.

Türkiye’s Earthquake Tax

Türkiye’s Earthquake Tax

Türkiye’s Earthquake Tax

02/11/23

“Why does Türkiye have a special earthquake tax and how can you help recovery efforts?”

In 1999, a devastating earthquake near Istanbul claimed the lives of more than 17,000 people in Türkiye. To fund future recovery work, the government introduced a special earthquake tax called the Special Communications Tax. By charging a fee on the use of internet and mobile phone telecommunications, Türkiye’s Earthquake Tax has raised (adjusted for inflation) over $36 billion in a fund.

As of writing, there is no strong signal that the Erdoğan regime is using this funding for recovery work. To make a difference, please make a donation to ahbap, the Syrian White Helmets and the Anatolian Arts Institute Earthquake Relief Fund. My friends are also connecting donations through the venmo account @earthquake-relief.

Why Türkiye’s Construction Spree Led to Such Devastating Earthquake Damage

Why Türkiye’s Construction Spree Led to Such Devastating Earthquake Damage

Why Türkiye’s Construction Spree Led to Such Devastating Earthquake Damage

02/10/23

“Why did Türkiye’s construction spree lead to such devastating earthquake damage?”

The massive February 6th earthquake in Türkiye has speared widespread devastation across the country. Thousands of buildings and lives have been lost in an almost infinitesimal amount of time. Builders that were thought to be up to code had their reputations shattered along with their edifices. But what exactly laid the foundation for this catastrophe to happen?

To answer, we have to turn the clocks back to 2003. A new political party under the helm of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was brought to power. Vowing to bring a new era to the Republic, Erdoğan decided to physically transform the country and economy with a construction spree. To hasten pace and strengthen his rule, Erdoğan granted infrastructure projects to allies and allowed them to cut safety corners. This led to scores of buildings being built without proper earthquake resilience. The mirage came tumbling down with the quake’s shaking. This is Why Türkiye’s Construction Spree Led to Such Devastating Earthquake Damage.

With the recent earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, please make a donation to ahbap, the Syrian White Helmets and the Anatolian Arts Institute Earthquake Relief Fund. 

Why Lack of Enforcement in Türkiye Led to Total Devastation During the 2023 Earthquake

Why Lack of Enforcement in Türkiye Led to Total Devastation During the 2023 Earthquake

Why Lack of Enforcement in Türkiye Led to Total Devastation During the 2023 Earthquake

02/09/23

“Why did lack of enforcement in Türkiye lead to total devastation during the 2023 earthquake?”

The 2023 earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria has been nothing short of devastating. A region home to over 13 million people has seen countless buildings collapse, historical monuments desecrated, and scores of lives lost. But if you’ve read up on disaster scholarship, then you’ll know that there is no such thing as a natural disaster. So how did things get this way?

In 1999, Türkiye suffered a devastating earthquake centered near the city of İzmit that took the lives of over 20,000 people. This crisis spurred the nation to adopt earthquake building codes on par with California and Japan. However, the government allowed for paid amnesties for construction companies to bypass these earthquake regulations. In 2018, The Turkish Environment and Urbanisation Ministry stated that 50% of buildings in Turkey were constructed in violation of regulations. When the quake struck, even new buildings collapsed along with older ones built on previous regulations. Residents all across Türkiye now see Why Lack of Enforcement in Türkiye Led to Total Devastation During the 2023 Earthquake. Political change is likely to come to this nation that straddles two continents.

With the recent earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, please make a donation to ahbap, the Syrian White Helmets and the Turkish AKUT Search and Rescue Association. 

The 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake

The 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake

The 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake

02/08/23

“What happened in the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquake?”

On February 6th at 04:17 am Istanbul time, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Southern Türkiye and Northwestern Syria. The event was so strong that it caused structural damage as far away as Cyprus and Israel. Multiple aftershocks followed that only wreaked more devastation. This was the most deadly earthquake recorded since the 2011 Japan Earthquake that ruptured the Fukushima reactor.  

As of writing, the death toll has surpassed 11,000 and is rapidly rising. Many of these fatalities are due to the pulverization of infrastructure caused by the Syrian Civil War and corruption in the Erdoğan regime. Many civilians are still trapped under the rubble in brutal cold and need help with rescue. To help the victims of the The 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake, please send donations to the Syrian White Helmets and the Turkish AKUT Search and Rescue Association.

Why Metro System Organizations Should Have Strict Oversight of the Consultants They Hire

Why Metro System Organizations Should Have Strict Oversight of the Consultants They Hire

Why Metro System Organizations Should Have Strict Oversight of the Consultants They Hire

02/07/23

“Why should metro system organizations have strict control of the consultants they hire?”

Metro system organizations often hire consultants to work on specific projects. However, if there is insufficient oversight then the consultants can overcharge for their input. To illustrate, The New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) spent almost double on their consultants than for the actual digging of the tunnel from 63rd to 96th streets. The MTA’s relaxed monitoring allowed the contractors to prioritize their own financial bottom line instead of benefits for the public. Such a monetary monstrosity could have been avoided if the consultants were on a tighter leash. This only goes to show Why Metro System Organizations Should Have Strict Oversight of the Consultants They Hire.

Why Rainwater System Operators Should Consider Installing Purification Systems

Why Rainwater System Operators Should Consider Installing Purification Systems

Why Rainwater System Operators Should Consider Installing Purification Systems

02/06/23

“Why should rainwater system operators consider installing purification systems?”

Rainwater systems can collect water from natural events to be stored for later use. However, these systems may be vulnerable to contamination, whether it be from waste, air pollution, or living organisms. If left untreated, this water can seriously harm anyone who drinks it. If the system operator intends for this water to be potable, then a purification system will go a long way in making it safe. This is Why Rainwater System Operators Should Consider Installing Purification Systems.