“Can anyone hear me?”: The evaluation of human behaviour during earthquakes in Turkey
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/10911359.2025.2587788
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, CINAHL, Criminal Justice Abstracts, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Earthquake, human behavior, situation analysis
- Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
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.