Abstract
On 21 November 1939, a significant earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck the Tercan district in Erzincan. This powerful seismic event had resulted in a high number of casualties, injuries, and extensive material damage. The earthquake’s impact had been felt across several provinces, including Trabzon, Tokat, Elazığ, and Erzurum. The earthquake had destroyed many homes and rendered a large portion of the remaining structures uninhabitable. The earthquake had caused widespread devastation in 16 villages in the Başköy sub-district, 4 villages in the Mans (Çayırlı) sub-district, and 13 villages in the Karakulak (Otlukbeli) sub-district. The Tercan earthquake had also led to significant financial losses, including goods, seeds, and food. A large number of animals had also perished. However, the swift response of state officials and the Turkish Red Crescent had been commendable. They immediately launched relief efforts to address the needs of the earthquake victims. The slightly injured had been treated at the scene, while the seriously injured had been transported to the state hospital in Erzincan. Monetary assistance, essential supplies, and temporary shelter had been promptly dispatched to the affected region, along with the necessary financial resources and equipment. The earthquake had coincided with the onset of winter, prompting concerns about the challenges of temporary shelter in tents. Consequently, efforts had been initiated to construct barracks for temporary housing in the earthquake-stricken area, considering the difficulty of dwelling in tents during the harsh winter. The present study aims to provide information on the social and economic impact of the 1939 Tercan earthquake, which has been overshadowed by the great Erzincan earthquake of 27 December 1939 and remains little known due to the lack of separate coverage in the literature. It also explores the state’s efforts to heal the wounds of the earthquake victims.
Keywords: Deprem, 21 Kasım 1939 Tercan Depremi, Tercan, Başköy, Karakulak, Mans
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