The Protective Action Decision-Making Process in Emergency Responses During and After Earthquake Tremors: Qualitative Findings from the Elazığ and İzmir Earthquakes

Understanding behavioral responses during and immediately after an earthquake is critical to reducing injuries and developing preparedness strategies. This study identifies response patterns under seismic threat using qualitative evidence from the 2020 Elazığ and İzmir earthquakes in Türkiye. Data were collected and analyzed from 63 participants through semi-structured individual interviews and family-based focus group discussions. Responses were examined in three temporally distinct phases: (1) onset of the tremor, (2) intensification, and (3) immediate post-tremor period. During the tremor, reported behaviors clustered around four dominant patterns: fleeing, freezing, improvised protective action, and moving toward vulnerable individuals. These responses were correlated with real-time threat cues, including perceived tremor intensity, environmental noise, falling objects, and the visible reactions of others. As the tremor intensified, increased perceived risk was associated with erratic movement, evacuation attempts, or continued immobility under uncertainty. In several instances, participants remained in place due to perceived dangers associated with movement, such as stairs or exits. Initial post-earthquake responses were characterized by rapid displacement to perceived safe areas, attempts to contact relatives, and spontaneous helping behaviors toward nearby individuals. The findings suggest that earthquake response is shaped by dynamic threat interpretation and socially mediated coordination, beyond uniform panic behavior. Interpreted through the Protective Action Decision Model and Emerging Norm Theory, the results highlight how behavioral responses evolve through the interaction between environmental signals and social context. The study provides empirically based insights for improving preparedness messages immediately following earthquake events, promoting contextually sensitive protective actions, strengthening household coordination strategies, and enhancing communication planning.