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Morocco's Vigilant Monitoring of Seismic Activities Following a Devastating Earthquake
Morocco remains steadfast in its commitment to closely monitor seismic activities within its borders through an extensive network of advanced sensors, according to Nasser Jebbour, the head of the National Geophysics Institute's National Center for Scientific and Technical Radio.
The implementation of this monitoring system was prompted by the catastrophic magnitude 5.8 earthquake that struck the Al Houaz region on September 8, 2022, claiming nearly 3,000 lives and flattening thousands of villages. Jebbour described it as the "strongest" quake in decades, originating from a "reverse fault beneath the high Atlas mountain."
Reflecting on the unexpected severity of the event, Jebbour admitted in an interview with Morocco World News, “We didn't think that it could reach this level of severity.” He also highlighted a more recent earthquake in the Azila region with a magnitude of 5.1, underscoring the ongoing seismic activity in the region.
At the National Center for Scientific and Technical Radio, experts receive real-time seismic data from sensors across the country through satellite transmission. "We are responsible for seismic monitoring in the territory," Jebbour emphasized, explaining that they analyze the location and magnitude of each event within two minutes. Subsequently, this information is promptly relayed to both local and national authorities.
While seismic events are not uncommon in Morocco due to the interaction of tectonic plates in the western Mediterranean, recent technological advancements have allowed for more effective monitoring. Throughout the last millennium, offshore earthquakes have primarily occurred along the Azores-Gibraltar transform fault and the Alboran Sea, while onshore tremors have impacted the Rif mountains and the Atlas range.
Noteworthy earthquakes in the twentieth century took place in 1994, 2004, and 2016 with magnitudes ranging from 6.0 to 6.3. However, none matched the devastation of the 1960 Agadir earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6.3 and tragically claiming between 12,000 and 15,000 lives.
With recent investments in monitoring technology, Morocco aspires to minimize future loss of life by providing authorities with real-time updates when seismic events occur. The profound impact of the Al Houaz earthquake underscores the importance of proactive disaster preparation in this seismically active region, affirming that being prepared is preferable to the potential consequences of neglecting such precautions.