Research Article

IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES: IMPACT, DETECTION AND VARIABILITY BEFORE AND DURING 2023 KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES

Volume: 31 Number: 2 August 4, 2026
TR EN

IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES: IMPACT, DETECTION AND VARIABILITY BEFORE AND DURING 2023 KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES

Abstract

This study investigates ionospheric disturbances before and during the devastating February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquakes (Mw 7.8 and Mw 7.5) using Total Electron Content (TEC) estimates from 15 TNPGN-Active (Turkish National Permanent GNSS Network-Active) stations across Türkiye. The Differential Rate of TEC (DROT) algorithm is applied to detect and quantify pre-seismic ionospheric anomalies by analyzing temporal variations in TEC data. Results reveal significant spatial and temporal patterns in ionospheric disturbances with DROT values progressively increasing from 50-60% to 60-70% within 48-72 hours preceding the earthquakes. Stations closest to the epicenter, particularly ELAZ, ERGN and HAT2, exhibited pronounced anomalies, while a concurrent appearance of disturbances across geographically dispersed stations is observed. Comparison with geomagnetically and seismically quiet reference periods suggests the seismic origin of these disturbances, supporting potential Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere Coupling hypothesis. Our findings demonstrate that DROT-based analysis of TEC variations provides valuable insights into seismic-ionospheric interactions and holds potential for enhancing earthquake precursor studies and early warning capabilities. 

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Electrical Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 4, 2026

Submission Date

March 18, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 17, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 31 Number: 2

APA
Karatay, S., Arıkan, F., Çelik, E., & Tutar, Ö. F. (2026). IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES: IMPACT, DETECTION AND VARIABILITY BEFORE AND DURING 2023 KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES. Uludağ Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Dergisi, 31(2), 887-906. https://doi.org/10.17482/uumfd.1660580
AMA
1.Karatay S, Arıkan F, Çelik E, Tutar ÖF. IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES: IMPACT, DETECTION AND VARIABILITY BEFORE AND DURING 2023 KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES. UUJFE. 2026;31(2):887-906. doi:10.17482/uumfd.1660580
Chicago
Karatay, Seçil, Feza Arıkan, Eren Çelik, and Ömer Faruk Tutar. 2026. “IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES: IMPACT, DETECTION AND VARIABILITY BEFORE AND DURING 2023 KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES”. Uludağ Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Dergisi 31 (2): 887-906. https://doi.org/10.17482/uumfd.1660580.
EndNote
Karatay S, Arıkan F, Çelik E, Tutar ÖF (August 1, 2026) IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES: IMPACT, DETECTION AND VARIABILITY BEFORE AND DURING 2023 KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES. Uludağ Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Dergisi 31 2 887–906.
IEEE
[1]S. Karatay, F. Arıkan, E. Çelik, and Ö. F. Tutar, “IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES: IMPACT, DETECTION AND VARIABILITY BEFORE AND DURING 2023 KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES”, UUJFE, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 887–906, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.17482/uumfd.1660580.
ISNAD
Karatay, Seçil - Arıkan, Feza - Çelik, Eren - Tutar, Ömer Faruk. “IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES: IMPACT, DETECTION AND VARIABILITY BEFORE AND DURING 2023 KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES”. Uludağ Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Dergisi 31/2 (August 1, 2026): 887-906. https://doi.org/10.17482/uumfd.1660580.
JAMA
1.Karatay S, Arıkan F, Çelik E, Tutar ÖF. IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES: IMPACT, DETECTION AND VARIABILITY BEFORE AND DURING 2023 KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES. UUJFE. 2026;31:887–906.
MLA
Karatay, Seçil, et al. “IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES: IMPACT, DETECTION AND VARIABILITY BEFORE AND DURING 2023 KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES”. Uludağ Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 31, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 887-06, doi:10.17482/uumfd.1660580.
Vancouver
1.Seçil Karatay, Feza Arıkan, Eren Çelik, Ömer Faruk Tutar. IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES: IMPACT, DETECTION AND VARIABILITY BEFORE AND DURING 2023 KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES. UUJFE. 2026 Aug. 1;31(2):887-906. doi:10.17482/uumfd.1660580

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