On Friday Evening a DESTRUCTIVE M6.8 Earthquake struck near Marrakesh in Morocco.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on September 8th, 2023. Last updated November 7th, 2023.

In the evening of Friday September 8th, 2023, a DESTRUCTIVE and strong MAG-6.8 earthquake hit under land 74 kilometer from Marrakesh in Morocco. Earthquakes this strong in locations like this are likely to cause a high number of fatalities and likely to have a large economic impact. Another country near the epicenter is Algeria.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Morocco, 74 kilometer (46 mi) south-southwest of Marrakesh in Marrakesh-Safi. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 19 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Sep 8, 2023 11:11PM (Casablanca Time) - Sep 8, 2023 22:11 Universal Time.
Location:	74 km SSW of Marrakesh, Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco. Coordinates 31°3'29"N 8°23'5"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 6.8 Detected by 95 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.032 .
Depth:	19 km (12 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	IX Violent On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Low Tsunami Risk Mag 6.5+ earthquakes at shallow depth can cause tsunami's, but this epicenter appears to have hit under land, making this less likely. Always stay cautious - More info here.

High fatalities and economic impact

The US Geographic Survey (USGS) describes the impact of this earthquake as follows:

At least 2,946 people killed, 5,674 injured, 59,674 homes damaged or destroyed, 585 schools damaged and landslides and power outages occurred across 7 provinces, including the cities of Agadir, Casablanca and Marrakech. Surface uplift of 20 cm observed near the epicenter and 7 cm of subsidence to the south. Maximum intensity IX.

Based on scientific estimates by the USGS, the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level RED (high). They expect an 34% likelyhood of between 1,000 and 10,000 fatalities, and a 93% chance that the number of fatalities falls between 10 and 100,000.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level RED (high). They expect an 37% likelyhood of between 1,000 and 10,000 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 93% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls between 10 and 100,000 million USD.

Roughly 20 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 20 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

Severe shaking and likely moderate to heavy damage may have been experienced by an estimated 131,000 people. At VIII, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level IV was experienced by the majority of people (around 11 million). In their region, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Morocco , around 20 million people, with impact levels up to VIII (severe shaking, likely moderate to heavy damage). People were exposed to shaking in Algeria as well.

Nearby towns and cities

Morocco and Algeria are both located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake.

Located 70 kilometer (43 mi) west-southwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, Setti Fatma (Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Setti Fatma is estimated to be around level VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (strong shaking, probably light damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Marrakesh is located 74 km to the north-northeast and experienced an intensity of VII (very strong shaking, likely moderate damage). Casablanca is located 291 km to the north-northeast and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Agadir is located 136 km to the west-southwest and experienced an intensity of V (moderate shaking, very light damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured for this earthquake is VIII.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 1284 people in 5 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 1284 people have reported shaking in 112 places in 5 countries (Spain, Western Sahara, Algeria, Morocco, Portugal).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco: 284 people.
• Marrakech, Marrakesh, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Morocco: 195 people.
• Rabat, Rabat-Salé-Zammour-Zaer, Morocco: 154 people.
• Agadir, Souss Massa-Draâ, Morocco: 111 people.
• Fes, Fez, Fès-Boulemane, Morocco: 40 people.
• Kenitra, Gharb-Chrarda-Béni Hssen, Morocco: 40 people.
• Meknes, Meknes-Tafilalet, Morocco: 28 people.
• Bouznika, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Morocco: 27 people.
• Essaouira, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Morocco: 27 people.
• El Jadida, El-Jadida, Doukkala-Abda, Morocco: 26 people.

70 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 70 smaller aftershocks. Just 20 mins after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-4.9 was detected 4 km (2.5 mi) south-east of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

This is an unusually powerful earthquake

No earthquake of this strength has struck this region for a long time. Our data goes back 10 years, and no earthquakes measuring a magnitude of 6.8 or higher have been detected within 300 km (186 mi) of this epicenter.

Low Tsunami Risk

There is a low tsunami risk following this earthquake, as it appears the epicenter was under land far away from the coast. However this was a very strong earthquake at a shallow depth that would have a very high risk at causing tsunami's if it would have occurred under sea. Stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 07/11/23 10:48 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000kufc
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20230908_0000250
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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