The effects of the Yazıköy‐epicentre Burdur earthquake (12 May 1971) on the residents of the village

Abstract

The majority of the population in Turkey lives with the risk of earthquakes. The public is affected deeply by earthquakes socially, economically and psychologically. This study aims to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of the survivors of the 1971 Burdur earthquake and its sociocultural effects. A total of 76 individuals took part in the study. The data for the research were collected through participant interviews with the use of the semi‐structured interview form. Findings indicate that the participants are not sufficiently knowledgeable about earthquakes, that their knowledge is not based on scientific grounds, that their attitudes towards earthquakes reflect fatalistic and local cultural elements, and that their socio‐economic status plays an important role in their perspectives on earthquakes. The findings of this study are thought to form a basis for researchers for future study.

Keywords:

• earthquake
• individual worldviews
• attitude
• behaviour
• earthquake preparedness

Notes

Part of this study was presented at GEOMED 2007 International Symposium on Geography – Environment and Culture in the Mediterranean Region, 5–8 June, at Dokuz Eylül University, Turkey.