The Centre Seismologique Euro-Méditeranéen recorded a Magnitude 4.6 Earthquake at a depth of 2 km about a hundred km off the Atlantic Coast of Morocco slightly before 3.55 pm GMT on Sunday 24 April 2016. There are no reports of any damage or casualties associated with this event, which occurred too far from shore to present any real hazard, but people have reported feeling it on the Moroccan Coast from Casablanca as far south as Essaouira.
The approximate location of the 24 April 2016 Atlantic Earthquake. Google Maps.
The Atlantic Coast of Morocco lies close to the boundary between the African and European plates to the east of the
Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This is currently an area of expansion, with the
two plates moving apart along this part of the boundary and new seafloor
being created by the upwelling of magma from the mantle and its
extrusion as a new area of crustal material, the Azores Microplate. This
is not a smooth process, and can lead to occasional Earthquakes.
The location of Europe, Africa and the Azores relative to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. (Martins et al. 2008)
Earthquakes around the Mediterranean Basin are most common in
southeast Europe, but those in northwest Africa, while less frequent,
are often larger and more deadly. In February 2004 a magnitude 6.4 quake
on the north Moroccan coast destroyed over 2500 homes, killing at least
628 people and making over 15 000 homeless.
Witness
accounts of Earthquakes can help geologists to understand these events,
and the structures that cause them. The international non-profit
organization Earthquake Report is interested in hearing from people who may have felt this event; if you felt this quake then you can report it to Earthquake Report here.
See also...
Magnitude 4.7 Earthquake on the north Coast of Morocco. The United States Geological Survey
recorded a Magnitude 4.7 Earthquake at a depth of about 10 km...
Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake beneath the western Mediterranean. The United States Geological Survey
recorded a Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake at a depth of about 10 km, off the
northern coast of
Morocco, slightly after 4.20...
Magnitude 4.3 Earthquake in the Tadla-Azilal Region of central Morocco. The United States Geological Survey
recorded a Magnitude 4.3 Earthquake at a depth of 17.5 km, about 3 km
north of the town of Isseki in the Tadla-Azilal...
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