Al Hoceima, Morocco Earthquake

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Posting Date: February 24, 2004, 7:30:00 AM

A strong earthquake struck the north coast of Morocco on Tuesday, February 24, at about 2:27 a.m. local time (UTC). The earthquake occurred on an active fault near the Mediterranean port city of Al Hoceima, west of the Nekor Tectonic Basin in northern Morocco. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimated the magnitude at 6.4 Mw, with a focal depth of about 1 mile (2 km). Al Hoceima is located about 185 miles (295 km) from Rabat, Morocco, 100 miles (160 km) from Fes, Morocco, and about 105 miles (170 km) from Malaga, Spain. Northern Morocco is located in the collision zone between the Africa and Eurasian plates. Along this section of the plate boundary, the African plate is moving northwestward against the Eurasian plate with a velocity of about 6 mm per year. The oblique convergence between the two plates has caused diffusive earthquake activity in northern Morocco, northern Algeria, and southern Spain. The current event is located in an active fault zone that extends from northern Rif (Mountain) near Al Hoceima, northeastward along the active Alboran Ridge in Alboran Sea, to southern Spain. Seismicity in this fault zone is the most active in the region, making Al Hoceima the most vulnerable city in northern Morocco to earthquakes. A 6.0 Mw event occurred in 1994 along the same structure less than 15 km from the current epicenter and caused great damage in Al Hoceima. Preliminary reports estimate the death toll at over 300 and it is expected to rise. At least 6 villages around the Al Hoceima area sustained considerable damage, including Ait Kamara, which was reported totally destroyed.

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Posting Date: February 24, 2004, 7:30:00 AM