- Southwest Marrakesh, Morocco, experienced a potent earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8.
- The earthquake struck at a depth of 18.5 kilometers.
- While there were no immediate reports of casualties.
In a recent seismic event, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8, which struck southwest of Marrakesh, Morocco on a Friday. The temblor caused widespread chaos and panic among the local population, prompting many to hastily evacuate buildings.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 44 miles (71 kilometers) southwest of Marrakesh, occurring at a depth of 18.5 kilometers.
The incident took place at 11:11 pm local time (2211 GMT). USGS’s PAGER system, which offers preliminary assessments of earthquake impact, issued an orange alert for potential economic losses, indicating a significant likelihood of substantial damage. Additionally, a yellow alert was issued for shaking-related fatalities, suggesting the possibility of some casualties.
USGS noted that the region’s population resides in structures highly susceptible to earthquake-induced shaking, further emphasizing the vulnerability of the affected area.
Despite the intensity of the earthquake, there have been no immediate reports of casualties. However, the seismic event did result in disruptions to internet connectivity in Marrakesh due to power outages, as reported by the global internet monitoring organization, NetBlocks.
Numerous videos depicting the earthquake’s unfolding moments have circulated on social media platforms. These videos capture the urgency with which people evacuated buildings and residential structures, highlighting the community’s collective response to the seismic event.
Morocco is no stranger to seismic activity, particularly in its northern regions, owing to its location between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. In 2004, the country experienced a devastating earthquake in Al Hoceima, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 628 lives and injuries to 926 individuals.
Additionally, the neighboring country of Algeria faced the notorious El Asnam earthquake in 1980, measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale, which claimed the lives of 2,500 people and left over 300,000 homeless.
As the situation develops, authorities and experts will continue to assess the impact of this recent earthquake on the affected region.