Is the U.S.-Developed HAARP Causing Earthquakes in Turkey?

In recent years, nearly all earthquake disasters in Turkey have been attributed—especially on social media—to HAARP (High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program), a project developed by the United States. But what exactly is HAARP, and is it really capable of causing earthquakes?

What is HAARP and Why Is It Surrounded by Conspiracy Theories?

The High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP), based in Alaska and currently operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is a research facility designed to study the ionosphere—a layer of the Earth’s atmosphere critical for radio communication. By transmitting high-frequency (HF) radio waves into the ionosphere, HAARP allows scientists to examine how it responds, especially during solar storms that can disrupt communications and power grids.

Origin of Conspiracy Theories

HAARP has long been at the center of conspiracy theories, especially after former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez claimed in 2010 that the U.S. triggered the Haiti earthquake using a “tectonic weapon,” which many speculated to be HAARP. Since then, it has been falsely linked to numerous global disasters, including earthquakes and floods in various countries.

How HAARP Works

HAARP consists of 180 antennas over a 33-acre area. These antennas emit 3.6 megawatts of radio energy into the ionosphere, heating it slightly and allowing for study. However, this energy disperses significantly and cannot be felt on the ground.

Military Origins and Transition to Civilian Use

Initially operated by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and DARPA, HAARP’s military origins fueled further suspicion. It was originally intended for research relevant to defense, such as improving submarine communication and understanding atmospheric interference.

In 2014, the U.S. military ended its involvement, citing a lack of interest and shifting priorities. The facility was then handed over to the University of Alaska Fairbanks and now operates as a civilian research facility, funded through academic and government-sponsored projects.

Are ‘Earthquake Lights’ a Product of HAARP?

One of the main arguments linking HAARP to earthquakes today is the mysterious lights seen in the sky before powerful quakes.

For example, before the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Turkey, blue lights were observed in the sky. Since HAARP sends radio waves into the atmosphere during its experiments, such sightings have fueled conspiracy theories around the project.

However, these mysterious lights can now be scientifically distinguished from artificially produced beams.

In an article published in TÜBİTAK’s January 2019 issue, Prof. Dr. Ülkü Ulusoy and Dr. Neil Whitehead analyzed images from earthquakes in Chile, New Zealand, Romania, Peru, and Turkey’s Van province, studying the shape, formation, and causes of these lights.

Ulusoy and Whitehead stated that if a light appears during seismic shaking, without any accompanying sound, has a semi-circular shape, and lasts less than one second, there’s a 95% probability that it can be classified as an “earthquake light.”
The article also pointed out that these lights are different from radiation emitted by power lines and that sightings of earthquake lights date back to times before the invention of electricity.

Can HAARP Trigger Earthquakes?

Scientific evidence shows HAARP’s radio signals—operating in the 2.7 to 10 MHz range—only penetrate a few centimeters to meters into the Earth. That’s far too shallow and weak to impact tectonic plates. Even though HAARP can indirectly produce lower-frequency signals (ELF/VLF), the energy levels are vastly insufficient to trigger earthquakes.

Despite its portrayal in conspiracy theories, HAARP is a scientific tool with no verified link to weather manipulation or seismic activity. Its capabilities and energy output are well-documented and far below what would be required to influence natural disasters.