News > Earthquake debris could create an environmental catastrophe in Türkiye and Syria

Earthquake debris could create an environmental catastrophe in Türkiye and Syria

The earthquake that has destroyed parts of Türkiye and Syria is a tragedy for millions of families. Now that the last presumed survivors have been found, the region faces many other problems, including enormous amounts of debris from collapsed buildings, roads, and the like. This material is estimated to weigh up to 210 million tons—enough to cover Washington, DC four feet deep, or build a mound as tall as Mount Erciyes, a large volcano in Türkiye.