When was Morocco’s last earthquake?
Morocco earthquake 2023
On September 8, 2023, a powerful earthquake struck near the town of Oukaïmedene in western Morocco. The shallow magnitude-6.8 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks killed around 2,900 people and injured 5,500 others. The earthquake wrecked several distant towns in the Atlas Mountains as well as seriously damaged parts of Marrakech’s old quarter. It was felt in Portugal, Algeria, and Morocco’s main city, Casablanca.
The magnitude-6.8 earthquake occurred at 11:11 PM local time near Oukaïmedene in the High Atlas Mountains.
The magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck at 11:11 p.m. local time. Its epicenter was around 45 miles (72 kilometers) southwest of Marrakech, in Morocco’s Al Haouz area. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake’s focus occurred at a depth of only 11.2 miles (18 km) below the surface, resulting in more shaking at the surface than if it had happened deeper. Approximately 20 minutes after the initial shock, a magnitude-4.9 aftershock occurred.