Magnitude 6.8 Earthquake Wreaks Havoc in Morocco: Actionable Insights on EigenPrism
On Friday night, Morocco was struck by a potent earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8. Tragically, over 2,100 people lost their lives, and numerous buildings in the old city of Marrakesh sustained significant damage. Over the next 24 hours, at least two dozen aftershocks have rattled the region with the most powerful being of magnitude 4.9. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), this seismic event is the most powerful to hit this region of North Africa in more than a century.
The earthquake occurred in the High Atlas mountain range of Morocco and had a relatively shallow depth of 11.4 miles, as reported by the USGS. The epicenter was located approximately 44.7 miles southwest of Marrakesh, a city with a population of around 840,000 and a well-known tourist destination.
The impact of the quake was also felt in areas further to the west, including Taroudant. In Marrakesh’s historic old city, which holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage site, a number of residents sustained injuries, while both buildings and sections of the city’s walls suffered substantial damage and partial collapse.
Assessing the Impact
All EigenPrism® users can assess the impact using the following quick links:
- M 6.8 – Morocco Earthquake Sep, 08 MMI Footprint as of 2023-09-11
- M 6.8 – Morocco Earthquake Sep, 08 PGA Footprint as of 2023-09-11
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