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Rabat – Morocco has recorded an increase in minor earthquake activity over the past few days, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea off the country’s northern coast. This has prompted concern and widespread discussion on social media.
Many Moroccans questioned why several tremors had occurred in a short period and whether the increased seismic activity signaled a greater risk.
Speaking to SNRT News, Nasser Jabour, director of Morocco’s National Institute of Geophysics, said the institute observed a noticeable rise in seismic activity over the past 24 hours, with most of the earthquakes recorded offshore in the Mediterranean.
According to Jabour, the average number of daily earthquakes increased from around four to between 12 and 15 over the last day. He noted that none of the tremors exceeded a magnitude of 3.0 on the Richter scale.
Some of the earthquakes were felt by residents in northern cities, including Chefchaouen, although most were too weak to be noticeable or cause damage.
Jabour explained that the area experienced similar seismic activity last year. He added that it is not yet possible to predict whether the current increase will continue in the coming days or return to normal levels.
He attributed the repeated tremors to the region’s complex geological structure. The Mediterranean coast contains several active fault lines where tectonic forces regularly release energy, making the area more prone to small earthquakes than other parts of the country with more stable geology.
The geophysicist reassured the public that the recent earthquakes are not a cause for concern, adding that they were weak and felt by only a limited number of people.
The renewed attention to seismic activity comes nearly three years after the devastating Al Haouz earthquake, which struck central Morocco on September 8, 2023.
Measuring magnitude 6.8, it was the country’s deadliest earthquake in decades, killing nearly 3,000 people, injuring thousands more, and causing widespread destruction across Al Haouz Province and surrounding areas.
Since then, many Moroccans have become more sensitive to earthquake alerts and reports of seismic activity. Even relatively small tremors often trigger concern on social media, which reflects the lasting psychological impact of the Al Haouz disaster despite experts’ repeated reminders that minor earthquakes are common in some parts of the country and do not necessarily indicate a larger event is imminent.
