EARTHQUAKES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ENCOUNTERED AFTERWARDS

Earthquakes are the very natural disasters that occur in a sudden manner and that have the power to damage the environment. Examining the disaster events occurred in our country in the past, earthquakes effectuate 61% of that and there exist, in the rest percentage, other disaster events such as landslides, floods, fires, avalanches and storms. Earthquakes, with their detrimental characteristics, strike a set of effects on living things, natural environment and structures and create several environmental issues that those who are recovered from earthquake (earthquake-victims) experience as well as a large proportion of life and property loss. Health, housing, safety, transportation, water and waste problems are some of environmental issues occurring after earthquakes to which people are exposed. Recovery works after disasters are naturally-primarily intended to save lives and basic needs of earthquakes-victims are tried to be met afterwards. Food, housing, dressing, medical care and other life-sustaining requirements must be recouped and negative effects of the environment must be prevented. In this study, possible precautions for environmental issues occurring after earthquakes and affecting life-standards of people are accentuated on.