Article detail · 2025
“Can anyone hear me?”: The evaluation of human behaviour during earthquakes in Turkey.
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Year
- 2025
- ISSN
1540-3556- Type
- article
Data source split
- YÖKSİS YÖKSİS article record
- OpenAlex OpenAlex enrichment (abstract, citations, topics)
Abstract
English (OpenAlex)
This study seeks to examine how individuals behave in indoor and outdoor environments during an earthquake. Utilizing a nested multiple-case design, the research focused on the earthquakes that struck the İzmir and Elazığ provinces of Turkey in 2020 and 2021 as separate cases. Data were collected through document review, specifically analyzing earthquake video footage, and the analysis was conducted using an observation form. The study reviewed 20 video recordings related to the Elazığ earthquake (6 indoor, 10 outdoor, and 4 outdoor) and 37 videos from the İzmir earthquake (10 indoor, 22 outdoor, and 5 outdoor). The information gathered from the footage was transformed into findings through descriptive statistical analyses, including frequency and cross-table analyses. The results indicate that individuals often display similar behaviors during an earthquake. It was found that people typically move toward doors or balconies, remain still, take protective stances, and turn to the others during such events. Their reactions may range from panic to calmness, control, and confusion. Notably, most individuals did not take any belongings with them or opted for their phones or wallets. People were observed to freeze, walk, run, or move in a manner that suggested crowding.
Topics
- Disaster Management and Resilience
- Evacuation and Crowd Dynamics
- Public Relations and Crisis Communication
Primary topic Disaster Management and Resilience