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Join on Telegram Denver – Geologists reported a moderate earthquake off the Northern coast of Morocco early Saturday morning.
The quake registered as a 4.1 on the Richter scale, and residents in Al Hoceima reported feeling “very light shaking,” according to earthquake monitoring sites. No damage or injuries were reported in the aftermath.
Northern Morocco lies on the Azores-Gibraltar fault line, which separates the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. The region is considered an active earthquake zone, with cities along the northern coast, such as Al Hoceima, experiencing seismic activity regularly.
Although residents in Al Hoceima are used to the geologic activity, quakes still occasionally cause significant damage to the city and the surrounding region. The last major quake, recorded in 2004, caused approximately 631 deaths, nearly 1000 injuries, and destroyed over 12,000 homes.
The multinational Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released a risk management publication for Morocco following the devastating 2004 natural disaster. Among its recommendations, the OECD suggested that Morocco prioritize development of adequate structures and support systems within regions at risk of earthquake activity.
Recovery after the 2004 quake cost millions of dirhams, the majority of which came from public funds. However, international efforts also contributed to the improvement of structures aimed at ensuring future earthquakes wouldn’t be as debilitating.
A multilateral collaboration between Morocco, the United Nations, and the OECD resulted in the “Build Back Better” program, designed to ensure future buildings were structurally prepared to weather future earthquakes with less damage, and fewer casualties.
