Minor Tremor Shakes Moroccan City of Oued Zem

Thursday 28 December 2023 - 14:45

On the evening of December 27th, the Moroccan city of Oued Zem experienced a small earthquake, as reported by earthquake monitors. Registering 2.5 on the Richter Scale, the tremor occurred at approximately 9:15 PM local time, just 19 kilometers north of Oued Zem in the Khouribga province.

Despite its minor intensity, with an epicenter only 18 km deep, residents in proximity to the center reported feeling weak shaking. Reports suggest that the tremors were perceptible up to 110 km away. Fortunately, there were no injuries or damages reported in the aftermath.

Oued Zem, home to around 85,000 people, is situated in an active seismic zone that has witnessed over 200 earthquakes since 2016, with magnitudes reaching up to 4.4. Earlier this year, a significantly more powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the nearby Al Haouz province in September, resulting in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives and leaving thousands homeless.

While the recent tremor was too small to cause harm, it serves as a poignant reminder of the region's susceptibility to earthquakes. With monitors diligently tracking seismic activity, officials fervently hope that any future events will be as mild as this one in Oued Zem, thereby sparing lives and protecting property in a country all too acquainted with the destructive forces of nature.