4IntermediateGeneralEnvironment

Earthquake Hits Eastern Turkey Near the City of Erzincan

A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Kemah district of Erzincan, Turkey on February 6, 2026. The region sits on one of the world's most active fault lines and has a long history of powerful earthquakes.

1 min readLevel 4February 6, 2026

Vocabulary

Study these words before reading the article. Click the audio button to hear pronunciation.

magnitude

/ˈmæɡnɪtjuːd/

noun

A number that shows how strong an earthquake is

“The earthquake had a magnitude of 4.9 on the scale.”

fault

/fɔːlt/

noun

A crack in the earth where two pieces of rock can move and cause earthquakes

“The North Anatolian Fault runs across the whole country.”

monitoring

/ˈmɒnɪtərɪŋ/

verb (present participle)

Watching or checking something carefully over a period of time

“Scientists are monitoring the area for more earthquakes.”

seismic

/ˈsaɪzmɪk/

adjective

Related to earthquakes or the shaking of the earth

“This area has very high seismic risk because of the fault.”

moderate

/ˈmɒdərət/

adjective

Not very strong or extreme; medium in size or amount

“A moderate earthquake can be felt but usually causes little damage.”

residents

/ˈrezɪdənts/

noun

People who live in a particular place

“The residents of the city felt the ground shake suddenly.”

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Article

Click on any underlined word to see its definition. Highlighted words are from the vocabulary section.

A moderate earthquake shook eastern Turkey on February 6, 2026. The earthquake had a magnitude of 4.9. It struck the Kemah district in Erzincan province at 2:24 PM. Authorities have been monitoring the situation closely since then. No major damage has been reported so far.

Erzincan is located on the North Anatolian Fault. This fault line stretches about 1,500 kilometers across northern Turkey. It is one of the most active fault lines worldwide. Scientists have compared it to California's famous San Andreas Fault. Earthquakes happen near Erzincan roughly every six days on average.

The region has experienced terrible earthquakes in the past. In 1939, a huge 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed nearly 33,000 people. Erzincan has been destroyed by earthquakes at least 11 times. Another strong earthquake hit the area again in 1992. These events remind people that this region faces serious seismic risk.

Experts say that people should always be prepared for earthquakes. If an earthquake happens, you should protect your head immediately. Turkey has improved its building rules after past disasters. However, being ready is still very important for everyone. Residents must know what to do when the ground shakes.

Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding of the article with these multiple-choice questions.

1
What was the magnitude of the earthquake in Erzincan?
2
Which district of Erzincan was hit by the earthquake?
3
How many times has Erzincan been destroyed by earthquakes since 1,000 AD?
4
Which famous fault is the North Anatolian Fault compared to?
5
How many people died in the 1939 Erzincan earthquake?

Discussion

Answer these comprehension questions about the article.

1
What was the magnitude of the earthquake that struck Erzincan?
2
Where exactly did the earthquake happen in Erzincan province?
3
What is the name of the major fault line that runs through Erzincan?
4
How often do earthquakes happen near Erzincan on average?
5
Why do experts compare the North Anatolian Fault to the San Andreas Fault?

Further Discussion

Share your opinions on these open-ended questions.

1
Have you ever experienced an earthquake? What did it feel like?
2
What do you think people should do to prepare for natural disasters?
3
Do you think governments spend enough money on earthquake safety? Why or why not?
4
If you could live anywhere in the world, would you choose a place with earthquake risk? Why?
5
How do you think technology has helped people deal with earthquakes better than in the past?