Earthquake in Morocco: A force equivalent to 25 nuclear bombs

According to Dr. Iyd al-Tarazi, a seismologist at the University of Jordan, the power of the Al Haouz earthquake is equivalent to that of 25 nuclear bombs, reports Maroc Diplomatique. In total, more than 2,100 people died in this powerful earthquake, according to the new report released by the Ministry of the Interior on Saturday evening. 2,421 people were injured. 1,404 of them are in very serious condition. In total, 1,293 people lost their lives in the province of Al Haouz, and 452 in the province of Taroudant, both located south of Marrakech, details the department of Abdelouafi Laftit.

Explaining that earthquakes are natural phenomena resulting from the sudden release of energy accumulated in the Earth’s tectonic plates, the Jordanian specialist stressed that although Morocco is located in a highly seismic area, earthquakes of such magnitude remain rare. They are often associated with deep and complex geological faults, which can cause sudden and violent movements, he notes.

To read: Earthquake in Morocco: King Mohammed VI mobilizes the army

In addition to the loss of human life, the damage caused by this historic earthquake is considerable. "There are dozens of gutted homes, split in two by the force of the earthquake’s shocks," reports France info journalist Camille Plaisant, live from Marrakech (Morocco), Saturday, September 9. "We also came across dozens of helpless residents on beaches, where they are outside with duvets and several tents." Dr. Iyd al-Tarazi then advises to accurately assess the seismicity of a given region, in order to take appropriate prevention measures and ensure the safety of the affected populations.