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Overview of damaged containers and port facilities in Iskenderun (pictured February 12)
Photo: satellite image / dpa
Satellite images show the extent of the destruction caused by the tremors in Turkey and Syria.
Such images can support rescue measures on site - and enable scientists to assess the consequences.
In the region now affected, these consequences could only slowly emerge and possibly turn out to be long-term, reports the European space agency Esa.
In the coastal town of İskenderun, for example, the earthquake seems to have caused significant subsidence, according to Esa.
The risk of landslides has also increased on many slopes across the country.
Scientists were able to compare data from before the February 6 earthquake with that after the tremors.
In the case of "Sentinel-1", the dates are January 28th and February 9th.
These radar satellites from Esa's Copernicus earth observation program can record the earth's surface day and night, even through clouds.
According to Esa, more than 350 images from the crisis area were delivered by various space agencies after the earthquake.
"They can be used to create damage and situation maps to assess hazard impact and manage relief efforts in affected areas."
"Sometimes the news is so devastating that you feel helpless in the face of so much suffering," wrote Esa director Josef Aschbacher on Twitter.
»I find comfort in knowing that the work we do every day in earth observation in Europe helps the people on the ground.«
Early Monday morning a week ago, a first earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 shook southeast Turkey at 2.17 a.m. (CET), followed hours later by a second severe earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6.
The number of confirmed dead was more than 37,500 in Turkey and Syria as of Tuesday morning, and more than 80,000 people were injured.
Thousands continue to be missing.
ani/dpa
