A rare powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco at around 11pm local time on the 8th September claiming over 3000 lives, affecting 30,000 people, collapsing homes, blocking roads and causing buildings to sway as far away as the country's northern coast. The shaking only lasted for several seconds but caused unimaginable devastation.

The tectonic activity in Morocco primarily involves the convergence of the Eurasian and the Nubian (African) plates. The Eurasian Plate pushing against the Nubian Plate is what led to the formation of the Atlas Mountains, which run through Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. 

The epicentre was located in the Ighil area, a mountainous rural commune home to small farming villages in the Al-Haouz province near the ski resort of Oukaimeden in the Atlas Mountains 70 kilometres from Marrakesh. The earthquake was felt all over the country, including in the provinces of Ouarzazate, Marrakesh, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant with tremors being felt as far away as Huelva and Jaen in southern Spain.

The Moroccan armed forces deployed rescue teams to provide affected areas with clean drinking water, food supplies, tents and blankets. However, some remote areas were hard to reach due to obstructed roads and the fact that they are so isolated. Several other countries, including Israel, France, Spain, Italy and the US, offered aid. 

Earthquakes of this size are uncommon in the region but not unexpected, according to experts. Since 1900, there have been 9 magnitude 5 and stronger earthquakes within 500km (311 miles) of this disaster, none of which exceeded magnitude 6 on the richter scale.

Related News and Resources

• View satellite analysis of the earthquake in UNOSAT's Live Web Map