The specialist noted that earthquakes are caused by tectonic processes.

“There is an Anatolian plate that is moving west.

And usually the strongest earthquakes occur on the northern border of this plate, the northern Anatolian fault, but there is also an eastern Anatolian fault, which limits this plate from the southeast.

Earthquakes of such magnitude did not occur there, but this is also a very highly active region.

Here, there was an earthquake with a magnitude of almost 8. This, of course, is such a result of tectonic movements,” Shebalin said.

In his opinion, the number of victims in both Syria and Turkey, unfortunately, will grow.

“There are far fewer casualties than we will see in a few days.

Because an earthquake of such magnitude occurred near a large city, where the quality of buildings historically could not be perfect, in terms of modern approaches to earthquake-resistant construction.

Moreover, no one expected such strong earthquakes in this region, such as those in the north of the Anatolian fault.

Therefore, unfortunately, the number of announced victims from this earthquake will grow,” the expert believes.

He also noted that aftershock activity should be expected.

“Because there have already been many aftershocks of magnitude 6 and above.

This means that within a week or two, and maybe a month, earthquakes of magnitude 6 are still possible.

They can also lead to destruction and casualties, ”concluded the interlocutor of RT.

Earlier it became known that as a result of the earthquake in Turkey, 284 people died and 2383 were injured.

In Syria, the death toll from the earthquake rose to 237, with 639 injured.